News

MTSU will be closed from Monday, Dec. 24, through Tuesday, Jan. 1, for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, university officials announced. 
The university will reopen at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, and resume normal business hours.
 
Students and faculty will remain on winter break. Spring semester classes will begin Monday, Jan. 14. Daily campus tours will resume that day. For more information about tours, go online to https://www.mtsu.edu/schedule-a-visit/calendar.php.
 
The James E. Walker Library will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, then closed from Saturday, Dec. 22 through Tuesday, Jan. 1.
 
The Campus Recreation Center fitness center is closed until Jan. 2. Offices will be open regular hours Dec. 20-21. (Full list of all hours of operation)
 
The holiday closings also include the Student Union, Student Health Services, Campus Pharmacy, James Union Building and Keathley University Center. The pharmacy and Student Health Services will be open Dec. 21, but closed until Jan. 2.
 
MT Dining Services essentially will be closed, but check the MT Mobile App or go online to https://mtsu.campusdish.com to check for specific days certain venues might be open Dec. 20-21.
 
MTSU has more than 300 combined undergraduate and graduate programs.
 

With more than 102 million people expected to travel by automobile this holiday season – the most on record since AAA began tracking holiday travel in 2001 – AAA is reminding motorists to celebrate safely and take steps ahead of time to avoid getting behind the wheel impaired. 
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the season between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is one of the deadliest times on the road when it comes to impaired driving.
 
A 2017 study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that among drivers who reported consuming alcohol, 20.7 percent reported driving in the past year when they thought they had consumed too much to drive safely.
 
“With millions of Americans expected to be on the roadways this holiday season, we encourage everyone to plan ahead for safe celebrations,” said Amy Stracke, managing director of traffic safety advocacy for AAA – The Auto Club Group, and executive director of the Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation. “Before getting behind the wheel impaired, we want to remind people that the Tow to Go program is available over the holidays.”
 
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Tow to Go program, a partnership that began in 1998 between AAA and Anheuser-Busch (Budweiser) to prevent impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel. Over the past 20 years, the Tow to Go program has taken over 25,000 impaired drivers off the roadways.
 
“The Tow to Go program is a smart option to promote the use of designated drivers and help reduce impaired driving,” said Adam Warrington, vice president, corporate social responsibility at Anheuser-Busch. “We are proud to partner with AAA and their roadside assistance drivers to make our roadways safer during the holidays.”
 
The Tow to Go program will be available this holiday season starting Friday, December 21st through 6 am on Wednesday, January 2nd in the following areas:
Tow To Go Service Areas
Phone Number
Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, North Dakota, Nebraska, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Indiana (Fort Wayne and South Bend only)
(855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246

Confidential local ride to a safe location within 10 miles

The AAA tow truck takes the vehicle and the driver home

Free and available to AAA members and non-members

Tow to Go may not be available in rural areas or during severe weather conditions

Visit AAA.com/TowtoGo for dates and availability throughout 2018

If you are hosting a party, please do so responsibly. Check out the Great Pretenders Party Guide from the Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation to learn more.
 
No family should have to experience a needless tragedy during the holidays as a result of an impaired driver,” said Stephanie Milani, Tennessee Public Affairs Director for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Whether you call Tow to Go, use a designated driver or stay where you are celebrating, it’s critical to have a plan for getting home safely and never get behind the wheel impaired.”
 
 

“The kindness and generosity of the Cannon County community never ceases to amaze me,” said Child Advocacy Center director Sharon De Boer.  “With all of the hustle bustle and everyone’s long to do lists this holiday season, good people make time to bless others with the true spirit of Christmas.  This is the 10th year of the Cannon County Secret Santa program.  Thirty-eight needy children and their families were blessed with the magic of Christmas.” 
For most Cannon County children, the holidays are filled with joy and anticipation – writing their letter to Santa, peeking through packages under the tree, and shaking boxes to guess what’s inside. Sadly, there families like those served by the Child Advocacy Center, whose season of joy is often overshadowed by the emotional and financial toll of child abuse.  “Most people do not realize the financial impact of child abuse,” said Cannon County Coordinator Cassell Galligan-Davis. “That is where the Cannon County Child Advocacy Center comes in. Through our Secret Santa program, we invite families, churches, businesses, and civic groups to make the holidays brighter for families in need.”
 
Fifteen Secret Santas provided gifts, clothing, and food for needy families. Holiday sponsors ranging from the Woodbury Grammar School Beta Club to the National Guard thoughtfully chose items that will create lasting happy memories for children.  “Part of being in the National Guard is about selfless service,” said SFC Karen Potts, of the Tennessee Recruiting and Retention Battalion for the National Guard. “Sponsoring a family each year continues to be our way of giving back to the community,”
 
“Many parents and grandparents struggle to put food on the table, to keep their home warm in the winter.  They don’t have Christmas trees towering over stacks of presents. Many don’t even have a tree,” said Child Advocacy Center accountant Jessica Wauchek. “The Secret Santa program is their one and only chance to give their children a truly authentic Christmas holiday.”
 
This week, Galligan-Davis delivered gifts to the Secret Santa families. Astonished and taken aback by the generosity of the sponsors, there were hugs and tears of joy as Galligan-Davis unloaded giftwrapped packages at house after house.
 
From a grandmother living on a fixed income to the single mom who was originally too proud to accept the gifts, but later called crying because a financial emergency hit unexpectedly, families from every walk of life and served by the Cannon County Child Advocacy Center were delivered gifts.
 
The Child Advocacy Center serves victims of child abuse, child sexual abuse, and drug endangered children and their non-offending parents, grandparents, and family members.  In the last 19 years, the Child Protective Investigative Team, consisting of the Child Advocacy Center, Department of Children’s Services, law enforcement, and the District Attorney’s Office have worked together assist over 20,0000 individuals in Cannon and Rutherford Counties and trained over 10,000 adults in both counties how to protect children from child sexual abuse.  
 
“Child abuse does not stop because it is Christmas.  The Child Advocacy Center serves new families every day.  Some of them are needy families that still need help for Christmas,” continued Galligan-Davis. The Center is accepting Piggly Wiggly, Dollar General, and Wal-Mart gift cards to give to last minute needy families this holiday season.  Secret Santas can drop gift cards off the the Center located at 214 West Water Street, Woodbury.  Arrangements can be made to drop them off before or after normal business hours by calling 615-563-9915.
 
“The Cannon County Child Advocacy Center is truly grateful for all of our Secret Santas,” concluded DeBoer.  “They have enriched Christmas for needy families and made a difference in the lives of Cannon County child abuse victims.  We hope that they were blessed by the experience this Christmas season.”
 
 

The Volunteer State has made a new top 10 list, but this isn’t one with bragging rights.According to the study, Tennessee is ranked No. 8 in the country for most holiday thefts.
The study tallied the number of thefts committed in each state between Nov. 1 and Jan. 30 over the past five years.
 
The numbers were obtained from the National Incident-Based Reporting System, which is maintained by the FBI.
Researchers then divided the tallies by each state’s estimated 2012 population to find the holiday theft rate per capita.
According to the study, Tennessee had an average of 67.7 thefts per 10,000 residents during the holiday season over the past five years.
 

Angie Fann has been selected to serve as the RTI Coach for Cannon County.  Fann has served as a Classroom Teacher at West Side School and at Woodland School.  For the last several years, she has served as a Title I Teacher and Interventionist.   
During the 2018 Legislative Session, the General Assembly passed legislation that added a component to the BEP funding formula for RTI2 interventionists. RTI2 stands for Response to Instruction and Intervention.  RTI2 experts across the country indicate that in order for implementation to be successfully sustained, it needs to be implemented from the district level. To do so means having staff designated at the district level to build local capacity.
 
Angie Fann, RTI2 Coach for the Cannon County School District, will serve as a resource to guide the established standards and protocols necessary for successful RTI2 implementation. She will guide the District and School RTI2 Leadership Teams to recognize the importance of understanding and following the procedures for maintaining the fidelity of instruction and intervention. Fann will also serve the district to help critique established procedures for delivering high quality instruction and intervention and make appropriate recommendations for successful implementation.
 
Director of Cannon County Schools, William F. Curtis stated, Angie Fann is a uniquely qualified individual who will do an outstanding job as RTI Coach for the School System.  Her expertise of the Title I program, knowledge as a regular education teacher, and her knowledge of the special education program makes her a great fit for this BEP funded position.  Cannon County Schools welcomes Angie to the School District level and looks forward to her assisting and being impactful in the education of ALL students in Cannon County.  This will certainly aid us in fulfilling OUR Mission – ‘Preparing All Students for their Future’ through OUR Vision – ‘New E3 = Engaged in Excellence Every Day!’”  
 
 

Cannon County High School will dismiss on the Abbreviated Day – Wednesday, December 19th, 2018 at 9:15 AM.  All Cannon County Elementary Schools will dismiss at 9:30 AM.  Cannon County Schools Central Office will close at 10 AM.  Students will return to classes on Thursday, January 3rd, 2019. Cannon County Schools and the Cannon County Board of Education would like to wish all Cannon County citizens a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  
Director of Cannon County Schools, William F. Curtis, commented:  “This is a very special time of the year for the Students, Teachers, and Staff of Cannon County Schools.  I would like to extend our best wishes for rest and relaxation to all associated with our school system.  We would like to thank parents, guardians, grandparents, and everyone that has supported public education in Cannon County.  It takes all of us, citizens and educators, partnering together to achieve OUR Mission – ‘Preparing All Students for their Future’ through OUR Vision – ‘New E3 = Engaged in Excellence Every Day!’  My sincerest best wishes for a blessed Christmas 2018 and the very best for a fantastic New Year 2019 in education here in Cannon County!”

The membership of First United Methodist Church has announced afree drive-thru food give away.  The event will be held at the church’s location at 502 West High Street.The giveaway is scheduled for Saturday December 22nd. Distribution will start no later than 10am.
Both perishable and non-perishable food available. 
Free and open to anyone! Please bring your own baskets/boxes.
 

Once the packages are open and the wrapping paper gathered up, when can I take it out! 
The County Executive’s office reports the hours for the Cannon Convenience Center. The center will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  The center will also be closed for New Year’s Eve and New Years’s Day.
 
To enable our employees to spend time with their families during the holidays, Woodbury City Hall will be closed on Dec. 24th, Dec. 25, Dec 26th, Jan 1st. The Tuesday Dec. 25th trash route will be run on Wednesday Dec. 26th and the Tuesday Jan. 1st trash route will be run on Wednesday Jan. 2nd.
 
Also, Dec. 31st the Town of Woodbury will cease dumpster service.  We hope customers who have been provided this service have been able to make other arrangements.  If we can be of assistance with this transition, please call Public Works Director Shane Gannon at 615-563-4221.
 

Crystal Kennedy, Career Technical Education Director for Cannon County and CCHS Business Teacher was named as “Employee of the Month” for December 2018 by Cannon County Schools. During the December Meeting of the Cannon County Board of Education on Thursday, December 13th, 2018, Mrs. Kennedy was recognized and presented a certificate by Cannon County Schools Director William F. Curtis for her service to her school and the Cannon County School System.  Employees are nominated by School Principals or School District Supervisors and are voted on during monthly Principal and Supervisor meetings regarding individuals who exemplify the Mission and Vision of Cannon County Schools. 
Cannon County High School Principal Courtney Nichols nominated Kennedy for this honor and stated regarding this outstanding educator:
 
“Mrs. Kennedy developed a spreadsheet for all of the current Seniors that tracks their achievements in regards to the Ready Graduate state requirements.  Until this spreadsheet was developed by Mrs. Kennedy, the High School had nothing in place to track this information and house it in one easy to read place.  This involved tracking all classes, EPSO’s (Early Post-Secondary Opportunities), ACT scores, and the ASVAB (US Military Aptitude Exam) scores.
 
This required a lot of work over many hours.  She did this in addition to meeting her requirements as CTE Director and Business teacher.  Crystal is always willing to take initiative and help in any way she can.”
 
Director of Cannon County Schools,William F. Curtis stated, “Mrs. Kennedy does an exceptional job in various ways and areas.  Her expertise as CTE Director and Business Teacher is outstanding.  However, Crystal has gone the “extra mile” to produce this document that has been shared with other school systems in the Upper Cumberland area.  I believe Crystal personifies our Mission of Cannon County Schools of ‘Preparing All Students for their Future’ by most assuredly being ‘E3 – Engaged in Excellence Every Day.’  Congratulations to Mrs. Kennedy for being an impactful ‘Team Player’ in our Cannon County Schools family for all Cannon County Students.”
 

Decorations can help turn every Scrooge into a Santa, but care must be taken to ensure that a home’s décor is fire safe. To decrease the risk of a home fire, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) reminds consumers that popular holiday decorations, like candles and string lights, can cause tragedy when not used properly. 
During the five-year period of 2013-2017 in Tennessee, candles were reported to have caused 385 residential structure fires, eight civilian deaths, 28 civilian injuries, six firefighter injuries and $13 million in fire loss, according to SFMO data.  The data also indicated that 41 percent of candle fires started in bedrooms and candles starting fires were too close to combustibles 46 percent of the time.
 
“Almost half of candle fires in Tennessee start because the candles were placed too close to flammable decorations,” said Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Julie Mix McPeak. “While decorations make our homes festive, they must also be placed with care. Taking a few basic precautions when decorating for the holidays could prevent fires from occurring and causing a potential tragedy.”
 
The SFMO encourages you to consider the following tips to ensure your holiday decorations are as safe as they are festive:

Use candles with caution. If possible, choose battery powered flameless candles. If you use lit candles, make sure they are in a stable holder and place them where they cannot be easily knocked over.

Maintain holiday lights. Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Not all holiday lights are made equal so be sure that you know whether yours are for indoor or outdoor use and use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory. Use clips, not nails, to hang lights to keep cords from getting damaged. Do not overload electrical outlets. Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe.

Make sure to periodically check the wires—they should not be warm to the touch.

Never leave holiday lights unattended. Turn off all lights when you leave or go to bed.

Use nonflammable decorations. Ensure all decorations are flame resistant or flame retardant. Place all decorations at least three feet from heat sources like fireplaces, space heaters, or heat vents.

Dispose of wrapping paper properly. Never place wrapping paper in a fireplace. This paper can cause a large fire that throws off dangerous sparks and embers that could result in a chimney fire.

A dry tree can be a fire hazard so always “Be a Good Elf” and care for your tree. If you choose a live Christmas tree, ensure that it is watered every day and that is it promptly disposed of after the holiday. If you’re using an artificial tree, make sure it is labeled as flame retardant.

Keep escape routes clear. Never block exits with trees or decorations. If family or friends come in for the holiday season, ensure everyone knows two ways out of each room.

Working smoke alarms never go out of season. Ensure you have working smoke alarms in each sleeping area, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Many Tennessee fire departments offer smoke alarms for free as part of the “Get Alarmed, Tennessee” program. If you need alarms, call your local fire department to see what resources are offered in your area.

For more information on keeping your family fire safe this winter, visit tn.gov/fire.