News

Data released Thursday by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development indicates unemployment increased in Tennessee’s 95 counties during June 2019.
 
Sixty-one counties have unemployment rates below 5 percent, while 34 counties now have unemployment rates at, or above, 5 percent.

Locally, unemployment increased in Cannon County in June unemployment was 4.0 percent up from May’s rate of 2.8 or an increase of 1.2 percent.
 
With a rate of 3 percent, both Williamson and Davidson counties have the state’s lowest unemployment. The new figure represents a 0.8 of a percentage point increase for Williamson County and a 0.7 of a percentage point jump for Davidson County.
 
Sevier County has Tennessee’s second-lowest unemployment rate for June at 3.1 percent, which is 0.6 of a percentage point higher than the county’s rate in May. Sumner and Rutherford counties have the third-lowest rate at 3.2 percent, which is up by 0.8 of a percentage point in both counties.

Hancock County recorded Tennessee’s highest unemployment in June. At 7.7 percent, the county saw a 2.4 percentage point increase in unemployment when compared to May. The current rate is 1.4 percentage points higher than it was in June of last year. Clay County’s unemployment rate is up by 2 percentage points to 7.4 percent. That figure is also up 2 percentage points from June 2018. Tennessee’s statewide unemployment rate also experienced an uptick in June. The current statistic is 3.4 percent, up 0.1 of a percentage point from the previous month. The state reached its all-time low unemployment rate of 3.2 percent in February and it remained at the level for three consecutive months. Nationally, unemployment increased from 3.6 percent to 3.7 percent in June.   County unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted, while the state and national rates use the seasonal adjustment to eliminate outside influences on the statistics. You can find additional labor market information for the state at www.Jobs4TN.com.

A suspect in a domestic assault and subject of a manhunt was apprehended Sunday morning in DeKalb County.  Michael Holden Thomas was found with the help from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, said Keith Lowery, Rutherford County Chief Deputy. He was reportedly in a stolen pickup truck out of Rutherford County.

According to local reports, Thomas was in a pickup truck approaching DeKalb County on Short Mountain Highway in Cannon County when THP troopers lost sight of him during a pursuit.

Later, Rutherford County officers were able to ping Thomas’ cell phone to a location near the Four Star Loop off Poss Road in DeKalb County.

Local deputies responded to the area and saw the truck Thomas was driving on Four Seasons Road and followed it onto Hendrixson Road and then to Evins Mill Road. Meanwhile a THP helicopter conducting an aerial search spotted the truck as it approached Highway 70 and while officers on the ground put down spike strips to disable it, Thomas drove the truck across the highway from Evins Mill to Midway Road before coming to a stop in a bean field. THP officers then converged on the truck and took Thomas into custody at around 9 a.m. Members of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and Smithville Police Department were also on the scene to offer assistance.

According to a press release from the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department, Cannon County Sheriff Darrell Young requested Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office to help search for Thomas Wednesday after the domestic case and after he allegedly broke into a house while carrying a machete.

Deputies located Thomas at about 1 a.m. Sunday at the Handlebar on East Main Street near Murfreesboro, the statement said.

“Thomas was accused of attempting to strike a deputy, as he fled early this morning, and subsequently striking a Rutherford County Sheriff’s vehicle while fleeing the bar,” Lowery said.
Thomas was apprehended in a stolen truck from Goochie Ford Road in Rutherford County, the chief deputy said.

THP’s Aviation helicopter joined the search for Thomas along with Rutherford and Cannon county deputies throughout Saturday night into Sunday morning, the press release said.

The Tennessee Department of Education has announced that 96 school districts across the state have been awarded a total of $3.7 million to support the implementation of high-quality career-focused programs and instruction for Tennessee students. Cannon County Schools is one of those system. 

Funds from the Perkins Reserve Consolidated Grant are awarded annually to districts to start and improve career and technical education (CTE) programs, with priority given to rural areas of the state and areas with a large number of CTE students.  More than three-million dollars from the grant will be awarded to districts to support programs focusing on the following needs:

• Creating new middle school CTE and career exploration programs
• Purchasing industry-grade equipment for fields including advanced manufacturing, health science, and STEM
• Supporting instructor licensure and testing site accreditation to assist with the the attainment of industry-recognized certifications
• Providing financial assistance to students to defray the cost of certification exams
• Developing occupational teacher mentorship programs

In Cannon County, a Middle School CTE (Career and Technical Education) Program:

The goal of this grant is to develop/implement an innovative middle school CTE program which aligns to a 9-12 program of study currently offered at CCHS. Implementation of this program will give students at the middle grades level an earlier introduction to the offerings at the high school and encourage career exploration prior to entering Cannon County High School. 

Industry Certification Exam Fees grants have also been awarded.

This grant is designed to cover exam fee costs associated with student industry certifications, such as: CNA testing, Dual Enrollment and Dual Credit testing, OSHA, and any other CTE industry certification options offered at Cannon County High School. 

It is hard to believe that the first regular season football game for the Cannon County Lions is four weeks from tonight.  The team, coaches and supporters have been busy for weeks.

The Touchdown Club will be making sure that the football field is roaring tonight.  One of the fund raisers for the organization will fill the field with music. Shellem Cline, an award-winning inspirational country artist will perform. The concert will begin tonight at 7:00pm.  Tickets are $15.00 per person or $25.00 per couple.  Tickets may be purchased at the door or online at www.lions-football.com .

Concession items will be available during the performance. The members of the Touchdown Club invites everyone to come and enjoy the show.

If you want to know more; Shellem Cline’s site is www.shellemcline.com .

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has announced Tennessee Sustainable Spirits, a program aimed at reducing environmental impact and operational costs associated with energy and natural resource use by wineries, wine growers, breweries, and distilleries. One of the first is located in Cannon County.

The voluntary recognition and technical assistance program, implemented by the TDEC Office of Policy and Sustainable Practices, announced four pilot members participating. They are:

• Jackalope Brewing in Nashville
• Life Is Brewing – Mantra Artisan Ales in Franklin
• Keg Springs Winery in Hampshire
• Short Mountain Distillery in Cannon County

Kendra Abkowitz, director of TDEC’s Office of Policy and Sustainable Practices, commented; “We want this program to foster responsible environmental practices, and we want to publicly recognize these producers as part of that effort.”

Short Mountain Distillery is on a 400-acre working farm and crafts small-batch moonshine, organic Tennessee whiskey, bourbon, and other spirits. Its 250-gallon copper still is powered by a 30 HP natural gas boiler and cooling is powered by a natural gas absorption chiller. 

The program will assist wineries and wine growers, breweries, and distilleries by promoting sustainable best practices and providing technical assistance toward environmental goals. Producers must meet certain sustainability requirements, provide utility and production data, and submit applications to be considered for admission into the program.

The production of wine, beer, and distilled liquor requires energy and water while also producing unique waste streams and byproducts. Spirits producers often require significant amounts of energy to produce a final product. Water is the single most important natural resource across each industry, from growing grapes to using water as an ingredient. Access to clean water and responsible management of waste water is vital to a sustainable spirits industry in Tennessee.

Short Mountain Distillery is on a 400-acre working farm and crafts small-batch moonshine, organic Tennessee whiskey, bourbon, and other spirits. Its 250-gallon copper still is powered by a 30 HP natural gas boiler and cooling is powered by a natural gas absorption chiller. 

The Tennessee Sustainable Spirits program is open to all wineries and wine growers, breweries, and distilleries in Tennessee.

 A manhunt is underway in Cannon County for a man armed with a large knife and facing a slew of charges.  Law enforcement are looking for 29 year old Michael Holden Thomas.  According to Sheriff Darrell Young, the suspect is facing at lease 3 counts of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated domestic assault.

The Sheriff’s Department was dispatch this morning near sunrise with a call that a woman and three children were being held at a home on Locke Creek Road.

Thomas was last seen wearing blue jeans and no shirt, he also has pierced nipples.  The suspect was last seen on Hoover Mill Road.  This is the section of the highway between John Bragg Highway and Murfreesboro Pike.  Sheriff’s personnel were in all terrain vehicles in the heavy-wooded area and are being assisted by a helicopter from the Tennessee Highway Patrol. The search lasted over four hours.

Area residents were notified by 911 reverse call of the suspect being seen in their area and were advised to lock their doors and shelter in place.

If you see the suspect please notify 911.

On Thursday, July 18, 2019 the Woodbury Lions Club hosted an American Red Cross Blood Drive.  Red Cross had a goal of 44 units to be collected during a time where the blood banks shelves are close to being empty.  Sixty-six volunteers to donate came and signed in, 50 giving whole blood and three gave double red cells making the drive very successful collecting 127% of goal with 56 units collected.  That means 158 lives could possibly be saved this week due to our local heroes.  Cannon County has again stood tall with volunteers as leaders in community service. 

Those signing in and able to give were:  Lion John Basinger, Tim Bell, Joe Bryson, Richard Burks, Carmela Burton, Bruce Currie, Alex Davenport, Debra Davenport, Shelby Ford, Cheryl Franklin, Bailey Goins, Tim Grandey, Orval Gray (giving his eleventh gallon), Terry Greenwood, Herbert Haley, Roger Haley (donating power reds-double red cells), Lion Patsy Hirlston, Karen Hudson, Lion Richie Hunter, Lion Travis Mattox, Rebecca McBride, Beth McCrary, Bonnie Molkentin, Sara Nokes, Racquel Novoa-Litchford, Troy Odom, Ronny Pack, Frances Paris, Tracy Parker, Sherry Pepper, James Powers, Sunshine Robbins, James Sabia (donating his 12th gallon), Lion Jeanette Todd, Doris Tucker, Patricia Walton, Blaine Wilcher, Randy Wimberly, Terri Wimberly (giving power red), Darlene Young Odom (donating her second gallon), Rachelle Weddington, Peggy Baxter, Roth Pitney ( donating first time here and power red), Natalie Bratton Allison, Jeffrey Day, Linda Day, Isabella Wilmoth (First Time Donor), Gloria Simon, Laura Nichols (one gallon donor), Kyle Todd (First Time Donor), Josh Harris, Kendall Duggin, Katelyn Duggin (First Time Donor), Chanel Arnold, and Madison Arnold.

The following assisted the Lions Club Blood Drive Committee Chairs Lion Carl Hirlston, Lion Bobby Bogard, and Lion Glenn Steakley:  Lion’s Brenda Bogard, Patsy Hirlston, Travis Mattox, Betty Bailey, and Lois Larimer.  Community Volunteers Yvonne Grimes, Carol Davenport, Kay Campbell, and Vanessa McCrickard also helped to make the Blood Drive a big success.

Thanks to Carl Hirlston for this article (and his commitment to our community).

Congratulations to the Cannon County 4-H Dairy Judging team for winning 1st place at the Central Region Contest. Will Byford placed 10th high individual, Abigail Buchanan placed 7th high individual and Abbye Moore placed 6th high individual. The local team is now state bound on August 22nd!  

During this event, youth put their decision making skills and knowledge to the test.  After ranking the cattle, the 4-H’ers’ decision was compared to that of the official judge, and a score was awarded.  They learn how to rank animals based on their closeness to “ideal” dairy conformation which involves functional traits associated with high milk production.  Senior high members in 9^th-12^th grade have another portion to the contest: oral reasons.  4-H’ers must verbally defend why they placed a class as they did.  This step requires youth to think under pressure and develops public speaking and communication skills.

 Cannon County was very well represented at this regional contest!  Each 4-H member should feel proud of their accomplishments.  To learn more about dairy judging, or any 4-H activity, please contact the Cannon County Extension Office at 615-563-2554.       

Thanks to Sarah Farrell, Cannon County 4-H Agent for contributing this article. 

The Friends of Edgar Evins State Park are the happy recipients of a $500 grant from the Friends of Tennessee State Parks. The money will be used toward the cost of the new “pages” on the Storybook Trail. This is the second year a grant has been awarded to the Friends of Edgar Evins State Park by the Friends of Tennessee State Parks.  

The check was presented to the Friends of Edgar Evins State Park at their July meeting by Fount Bertram, a member of the Board of Friends of Tennessee State Parks. Bertram is also the former president of the local group.

The Storybook Trail at Edgar Evins State Point, Silver Point, has become a popular attraction at the park for school and community groups as well as other visitors since it opened in June 2018. It’s purpose is to encourage youngsters to read and to be outdoors for exercise and pleasure. The trail is a project of the Friends of Edgar Evins State Park, an all-volunteer group that is dedicated to helping the park. It is planned to change the story displayed on the trail each year. Pages from a nature themed children’s book are reproduced in in full color on large metal signs that are framed with wood and posted at child height at intervals along the ½ mile trail near the Interpretive Center.

This year the book is Anybody Home? by Marianne Berkes, illustrated by Rebecca Dickinson and published by Arbordale Books. The story is about an expectant mama possum looking for a home among the many other forest creatures. Last year the story was about the life cycle of butterflies. For information about the Friends of Edgar Evins State Park please visit the website at www.foeesp.com or find them on Facebook.

The website for Friends of Tennessee State Parks is  http://friendsoftennesseestateparks.org

Area charities are learning that a little can create a lot.

The Middle Tennessee Electric Membership SharingChange Program headed up by Jay Sanders, MTEMC Community Relations Coordinator, is visiting each of the MTEMC offices in the four Counties in the MTEMC area, Cannon, Rutherford, Wilson, and Williamson.   Jay Sanders, and his team, Cathy Mitchell, and AnnaKate Curtis, are working hard to get the people in these four counties excited and connected to the SharingChange Round-Up Program, which is asking MTEMC Customers to sign up to have your monthly electric bills rounded up to the nearest dollar each month.  Your donations would be as little as 1 cent to a maximum of 99 cents each month. All of the monies donated through the Round Up Program by the MTEMC customers in each of these counties comes back to these counties 100% MTEMC recently celebrated returning $10 million dollars to their customers.

Jim Stone is the Cannon County Representative on the SharingChange Board of Directors, Stone commented, “I can assure you that all of the money donated by Middle Tennessee Electric participants in Cannon County comes back to this county. Grants are presented to non-profit organizations, like the Rescue Squad, the Adams Memorial Library, the SAVE Program, the Arts Center, Senior Citizens Center and the American Legion Post 279.  All of these wonderful organizations provide valuable services to the people of Cannon County. This is a great way to support the citizens of our county, and a great way for you to be part of giving back to Cannon County.  The more customers we get to sign up for the Round Up Program the more money we will receive back.  So, as your representative and friend, I am asking you to step up and let’s make Cannon County a better place for our citizens and our children.”

For additional information about Middle Tennessee charitable foundation visit: https://www.mtemc.com/SharingChange