News

Tennessee Department of Health statistics indicate that 1,268 individuals died from an opioid overdose in 2017. Of that number, 39 occurred in Cannon County. Thirty-nine parents, children, partners, siblings, and friends missing from our community. As these numbers continue to increase annually, the ripple effect being felt by the youngest members of our state and county is undeniable. A child’s exposure to the toxic level of stress associated with a family member’s addiction and subsequent death can be classified as an adverse childhood experience (ACE).Tennessee is committed to learning more about such adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which also include other traumatic, violent or stressful events. ACEs can impact brain development and impose lasting health effects throughout the lifespan. Based on her research, pediatrician Nadine Burke Harris’s reports, “the profound discovery was that our patients with four or more ACEs were twice as likely to be overweight or obese and 32.6 times as likely to have been diagnosed with learning and behavioral problems.”
Middle Tennessee State University has the opportunity to integrate evidence based curriculum introducing ACEs into MTSU academic programs. The Center for Health and Human Services on campus has recently received funding from Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, through the Building Strong Brains Tennessee initiative, to give students in diverse program areas basic knowledge and understanding of the prevalence of ACEs in our community. The Child Development and Family Studies program will be among those implementing the “All Children Excelling through a Comprehensive Network of Trained Providers” curriculum, thus further expanding our students’ knowledge of the negative effects of ACEs and strategies to build resiliency in individuals.
 

Tennesseans will head to the polls across the state Tuesday to vote in the Nov. 6 general election. Voters in the state will decide our next governor and a seat in the United States Senate as well as numerous seats in the state senate and house.1,378,840 Tennesseans voted in person or absentee during the two-week early voting period which ended Thursday, November 1, 2018. A comprehensive breakdown and interactive map from the Division of Elections shows how this turnout compares to past election years.
Voters can download the GoVoteTN app, available in the App Store or Google Play, to view voter-specific information. Voters can find polling locations, view and mark sample ballots and much more. The platform is also available at GoVoteTN.com.
Polls open at various times depending on the county. Polls in Cannon County are open from 7am – 7pm. Here is a full list of when all 95 counties open. All polls in Tennessee close at 8 p.m. EDT / 7 p.m. CDT.
Being flexible may also help speed up the process. Midmorning and midafternoon are usually slower times at polling locations, while early morning, noon and 5 p.m. are peak times as people typically vote before work, after work or on their lunch breaks.
Tennesseans voting on Election Day should remember to bring valid photo identification with them to the polls. A driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security as well as photo IDs issued by Tennessee state government or the federal government are acceptable even if they are expired. College student IDs are not acceptable.
More information about what types of ID are acceptable can be found here: What ID is required when voting? or by calling toll free 1-877-850-4959.
 
Unofficial election results for the Nov. 6 general election will be posted at elections.tn.gov and these Twitter accounts:
 

Falling in line with May’s collection report, many counties in the Upper Cumberland saw little change compared to the previous month; reporting so-so sales tax collections for the month of June according to the Upper Cumberland Business Journal. Some counties, such as Pickett (32.5), Overton (17.1), and Smith (15.8), reported double-digit percentage gains in sales tax collections over the previous month. 
Pickett and Overton each have lead the UC region when it comes to reported sales tax collections. In the most recent quarter, those counties reported a 13.1- and 14.4-percent increase, respectively, over the previous year, noting a 22.3- and 10.8-percent change over the previous year. 
Meanwhile, Jackson (-28.3) and Van Buren (-19.1) counties reported double-digit losses percentage wise. 
Cannon (-0.5), Fentress (-1.8), Warren (-2.8), and White (-4.8) counties each reported marginal sales tax collection losses while Clay (5.4), Cumberland (3.1), DeKalb (5.0), Macon (2.9), and Putnam (4.4) counties each reported marginal percentage gains in June sales tax collections.  
In June Cannon County had sales tax collections of $427,238 off $1,968 of the May collection of $429,206.
 

National Diabetes Month starts this week, and more than 1 in 10 Tennesseans is diabetic. 
At 11 percent, the state has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
 
While diabetes can affect people of all age groups, experts are particularly concerned about gestational diabetes in women, or abnormal blood sugar levels during pregnancy.
 
An increasing body of research indicates the problem doesn’t stop when the baby is born, says Dr. Griffin Rodgers, director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, so it’s important to take precautions.
 
“Women with a history of gestational diabetes can take modest but important steps for themselves and their children to prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes,” he advises. “Keep up healthy habits. See a dietician or a diabetic educator to guide them.”
Rodgers says about half of all women who had gestational diabetes will develop Type 2 diabetes later in life, and their children have a greater chance of becoming obese.
He recommends women and their families work to maintain healthy weights, with good nutrition and daily exercise.
Rodgers says the CDC doesn’t keep specific data for gestational diabetes, but it stands to reason that with a high rate of diabetes in Tennessee, the trend would include pregnant moms.
 
“In general, there’s a fairly good correlation between the prevalence of the disease in the state and the likelihood that the women in the state would follow that rate,” he states.
Diabetes can lead to such serious health problems as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease and limb amputations.
Experts believe as many as 161,000 Tennesseans have diabetes but are un-diagnosed.
 

The fire departments of Cannon County and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) reminds everyone to check their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors when setting their clocks back one hour Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, at 2 a.m. (CDT) when daylight saving time ends. 
“Smoke alarms have proven to save lives in the event of a home fire—but only if they are working,” said Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Julie Mix McPeak. “As daylight saving time ends, we encourage Tennesseans to change the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.”
 
Most fatal fires occur at night while the victims are sleeping. The smoke and toxic gases generated by a fire can cause people to sleep more deeply which lessens the likelihood of surviving a fire. A working smoke alarm can double the chances of survival by increasing the amount of time persons have to escape fires in their homes.
 
To help ensure the safety of you and your loved ones, it is recommended that you replace the batteries twice a year in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. This reduces the chance of alarms chirping to indicate low batteries. All too often, a battery is removed and not replaced, putting a home’s occupants at risk. There’s no way to predict when a fire will occur, so even one night without an operational smoke alarm can be dangerous.
 

A Coffee County man is charged with using another person’s identity in order to obtain controlled prescription drugs. 
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) with the assistance Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office yesterday announced the arrest of Terry Wayne Holliday, Jr., 39, of Manchester. A Coffee County indictment accuses him of nine counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, 11 counts of identity theft and 11 counts of TennCare fraud.
 
Authorities say Holliday passed nine forged prescriptions which he created and used the identity of a TennCare enrollee without their consent. He was arrested in Rutherford County and transported to Coffee County where he was served with the charges.
 
“TennCare benefits are reserved for those truly in need,” Inspector General Kim Harmon said. “Using these benefits to fund the opioid epidemic will not be tolerated. We appreciate the healthcare providers, law enforcement and citizens who provide information about this type of TennCare fraud.”
 
District Attorney General Jennings H. Jones is prosecuting. Charges of TennCare fraud, obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and identity theft are class D felonies punishable by up to four years in prison per charge.
 
The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to more than $3 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of more than $163.6 million for TennCare, according to latest figures. To date, 3,038 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.
 
Through the OIG Cash for Tips Program established by the Legislature, Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions.  Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982, toll-free, from anywhere in Tennessee; or log on to www.tn.gov/tnoig/ and follow the prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”
 

The state veterinarian has announced five new cases of horses sickened by West Nile Virus (WNV) in East Tennessee. 
Two horses in Washington County recently tested positive for WNV. Bradley, Cumberland, and Sullivan Counties are reporting one case in each county.  Sick horses cannot directly infect people with WNV.
 
Mosquitoes and other biting insects are responsible for transmission of WNV. Symptoms in horses may include fever, weakness, loss of appetite, or convulsions. The illness can cause lasting effects and, in some cases, can be fatal.
 
“Even though it is starting to feel like fall, mosquito-borne illnesses remain a health threat for horses in Tennessee,” State Veterinarian Dr. Charles Hatcher said. “Horse owners should take preventative measures to protect their livestock year-round. The vaccine for WNV is extremely effective. Your veterinarian can help you decide the best vaccination plan for your horse.”
 
Other tips include:
·        Never share needles, dental, or surgical equipment among different animals.
·        Eliminate standing water sources where insects may gather and breed.
·        Manage manure and disposal.
·        Apply fly sprays and insect repellants as needed.
 
The C. E. Kord Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory now offers a full line of equine disease testing, including WNV, equine infectious anemia (EIA), equine herpes virus (EHV), equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), and equine influenza virus (EIV). Contact your veterinarian for more information
 

Every 25 minutes a baby is born suffering from opioid withdrawal and 8.7 million children nationwide have a parent who suffers from a substance use disorder according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.  Children’s exposure to their parents drug use is impacting children across the nation. Here in Cannon and Rutherford Counties the number of drug exposed children is increasing annually. 
The Women’s World Summit Foundation is sponsoring the 8th annual 19 Days of Activism for the Prevention of Abuse and Violence Toward Children and Youth.  This international event happens every year from November 1-19.  For the 8th time, the Child Advocacy Center and local agencies that assist drug endangered children and child abuse victims are participating in the event. 
 
According to Child Advocacy Center Community Education Coordinator Brittnie Noble, “The local theme of the 2018 19 Days of Action is the impact on children of their parent’s use of opioids and other drugs. As millions of families struggle with substance abuse, children are left to pay the price.”
 
The Child Advocacy Center is a non-profit agency that serves victims of child abuse, child sexual abuse, and drug endangered children. The Center works as a multi-disciplinary team with the Department of Children’s Services, law enforcement, and the District Attorney’s Office to respond to child abuse cases.  The Drug Endangered Children program teaches families how to cope with addiction issues.  Services include alcohol and drug education, relapse prevention, anger management, parenting and communication skills, and stress management.
 
Child Advocacy Center Cannon County Coordinator Cassell Davis said, “Often the children’s caretakers are single parents or grandparents because one or more of the parents is incarcerated, or uninvolved due to their drug use.  As a result, these children and their caretakers often struggle physically, emotionally, socially, and financially.  At times, these children also begin to experiment with drugs themselves, and the services offered by the Child Advocacy Center help them through the treatment process and are free to the community.  The Advocacy Center also provides In Home Counseling, Drug and Alcohol Education, Work or School Intervention, Court Advocacy, and assistance with food, blankets, clothing, and any other forms of support the family may need.”
 
The 19 Days of Activism Campaign is a multi-issue coalition of diverse organizations and partners to help create public awareness and support at the local, national, and international level to educate the public about the plight of drug endangered children and their families.
 
During the 19 Days of Activism, the Child Advocacy Center has two goals.  The first goal is that the 19 partner agencies will sponsor press releases to educate our community about child abuse, with a focus on the impact of opioids and substance abuse on children. 
 
The Partner Agencies are:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee

Boys and Girls Club

Child Advocacy Center

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) 

Department of Children Services

District Attorney’s Office for the 16th Judicial District

Domestic Violence Shelter

Family Center

Guidance Center

La Vergne Police Department

MTSU Child Development and Family Studies Program

Murfreesboro City Schools

Murfreesboro Police Department

NorthStar Pain Management

Nurses for Newborns

Prevention Coalition For Success

Primary Care and Hope Clinic

Rutherford County Fire Department

Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office

Smyrna Police Department

Stones River Recovery

 

The second goal is the Child Advocacy Center will sponsor Darkness to Light trainings to educate parents, grandparents, and professionals on how to protect children from child sexual abuse and what to do if a child discloses abuse.  Contact Brittnie Noble at the Child Advocacy Center to attend one of the Darkness to Light trainings or bring this child sexual abuse prevention training to your church, school, PTO, sports league, civic group, or business.
 
For more information on the 19 Days of Activism contact Brittnie Noble at (615) 867-9000 or visit the Women’s World Summit Foundation website at http://www.woman.ch/index.php?page=19daysofactivism.
 
Darkness to Light Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Trainings:
Date                                      Location                                              
November 6, 2018          Middle Tennessee State University 
November 8, 2018          Learning Zone
November 8, 2018          Cannon County S.A.V.E.
November 10, 2018        South East Baptist Church
November 13, 2018        Academy of Gateway
November 15, 2018        Little Miracles Child Care
November 19, 2018        Fellowship United Methodist Church
 

An unusual case was heard in court yesterday. According to our news partner, WKRN, A driver whoplowed into a man and a truck in the middle of a funeral procession says it was an accident.
Ashley Beasley pleaded guilty to Driving Under the Influence and simple possession of marijuana.
That might not have happened if it weren’t for the victims whose impact statements changed the
case.
Beasley declined an interview with News 2 after the hearing Tuesday but said this was an accident.
But don’t tell that to victim Demetris Benford or his cousin Elton Johns.
“I’m recovering well,” Benford said. “I still got a few aches and pains, I mean, other than that, I’m
blessed.”
“To hear that she said it was just an accident, knowing she flipped my truck and ran over Demetris
and landed on top of him, it was more than an accident,” Johns said.
Johns and Benford were attending the funeral of their cousin Teran Floyd in March.
Witnesses said Beasley drove around three stopped vehicles waiting for the funeral procession to
end and plowed into Benford and T-boned Johns’ pickup.
Beasley was in a Cannon County courtroom Tuesday and pleaded guilty to DUI first offense and
simple possession of marijuana.
Four other traffic violations charges, not wearing a seat-belt, no proof of insurance, obedience to
required traffic control device and limitations on overtaking on the left, were dismissed.
“Just don’t want her to have hard feelings towards us,” John said while addressing the court. “We’re
victims here, but at the same time, we know she is human, and anything can happen.”
During her last hearing, there was talk of Beasley only getting two days in jail since it was her first
DUI offense, but It was the victim’s impact statement that made a difference in this case.
Trooper Joshua Sparkman drew the report as it was a fender bender, as it was nothing major. I
knew that, so we decided to come up with a victim impact statement and bring in 12 pictures to
show them it wasn’t a simple fender bender, to show them it was a crash,” Johns said.
But surprisingly, the two victims wanted the court to be lenient on her.
The victims feel it would be more beneficial for the suspect to go to drug and alcohol treatment
rather than spending a lot of time behind bars.
“It seems to deem a little more punishment but we want her to know there was no malice or intent
for us being here, and we want her to know we pray for her to get the help she needs because this
wreck was caused by her being under the influence,” Johns said.
“It could have ended my life, you know, but I really can’t say how it was,” Benford said. “I just hope
she gets the help she needs, and it won’t happen to no one else.”
Beasley will have to spend 90 days in jail, minus the 18 hours she has already served. She will also
be placed on supervised probation for up to two years.
She will also have to attend DUI school, face random drug and alcohol tests, and lose her license for
a year.
Beasley will have to turn herself into jail and begin her sentence at the end of November.
 

The Golden Arches will showcase an upscale look and cutting-edge technology at the grand reopening and ribbon cutting ceremony at the McDonald’s in Woodbury. The community is invited to celebrate on Tuesday, October 30 at the 101 East Main Street restaurant location.  
“We could not be more excited to open the doors of the renovated McDonald’s,” said local owner-operator Tim Funderburk. “The Woodbury community will now receive an unparalleled modernized dining experience, from self-order digital kiosks to a mobile order and pay option. We look forward to serving our loyal customers with a modern twist.”
 
Funderburk will also celebrate the grand reopening with a charity donation to the Woodbury Grammar School. This local school teaches and enriches the lives of students from pre-kindergarten all the way to eighth grade in the Woodbury community. With a mission of working to learn, growing as citizens and succeeding together in a safe environment, the school seeks to fulfill its motto, “excellence: no excuses.” McDonald’s is proud to partner with Woodbury Grammar School to help impact the lives of young learners in the Woodbury community.