News

United Way of South Central Tennessee announces the opening of the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program for the upcoming tax season, January 31^st – April 11^th, 2026.

According to the IRS, the EITC “helps low- to moderate-income workers and families get a tax break. If you qualify, you can use the credit to reduce the taxes you owe – and maybe increase your refund.” The EITC is a benefit for working people with at least one dependent and can mean more resources for essential needs such as reliable transportation, housing, and food. The EITC is the third largest government benefit program behind Social Security and Medicare.

The United Way VITA program is an IRS-supported tax preparation service, through which trained volunteers prepare taxes at no cost for qualifying individuals and families. The VITA program, along with My Free Taxes, connects community members with eligible credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

The ribbon cutting for the 2026 VITA season is on Friday, January 30th, 2026, at 11 AM located at the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce – 3050 Medical Center Parkway in Murfreesboro. Guests will hear more about the economic impact of United Way’s financial stability initiatives in our community and learn about EITC and free tax preparation through VITA. You can find more information about the ribbon cutting on the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce website.

During United Way’s 2025 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, more than 2,300 tax returns were completed with a total economic impact of over $3.2 million in Bedford, Cannon, Coffee, Lincoln, Moore, Rutherford and Warren counties.

This year in-person appointments will be available in Fayetteville, McMinnville, Murfreesboro, Shelbyville, Smyrna, Tullahoma, and Woodbury.

Individuals can currently sign up for VITA appointments online. For more information and to register, visit yourlocaluw.org/vita.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) continues to urge motorists to stay home as clearance of interstate and state routes continues. TDOT crews are on day seven of around-the-clock operations and are making real progress despite challenging conditions.

This is a statewide, coordinated response, and every region is engaged. These figures help illustrate the scale of the effort:

• 39,000 equipment hours
• 71,000 labor hours
• 61,000 tons of salt
• 1.4 million gallons of brine
• 510,000+ miles of roadway treated
• 2,300+ incidents managed
• Thousands of Trees Cleared

TDOT workers are still actively plowing, salting, and removing debris from state-owned roadways in Region 3’s 26 counties. While interstates and priority state routes are looking better, many secondary routes remain unsafe, and the department is committed to restoring connectivity not only for travel but also for linemen and utility companies working to restore power.

Late yesterday, Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order 111. The Executive Order gives TDOT the ability to assist on non-state roads by clearing routes of snow and ice and removing downed trees. TDOT is bringing in additional crews from across the state and mobilizing contractors to address locally owned roads as quickly as possible. For TDOT to be deployed on non-state roadways, the request must come from the city or county through the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA).

If you must drive to get essential supplies, reach a safer location, or report to work, drivers are urged to use extreme caution. We remind motorists to reduce speed, increase following distance, and stay alert for sudden icy patches, downed trees, and power lines. Every precaution helps protect not only the individual driver but also other motorists and the men and women working hard to keep our roads clear.

From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest road conditions and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 for travel information or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/myTDOT for statewide travel.

As ice, downed trees, and hazardous road conditions continue to impact travel across Tennessee, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) has been working tirelessly to assist motorists. Since the start of the storm, THP troopers have responded to a significant number of weather-related incidents. They have been on duty around the clock, assisting stranded drivers, responding to crashes, and clearing roadway hazards to restore safe travel conditions. Since 3 a.m. Central Time on Jan. 24 THP has responded statewide to: 2 fatal crashes The cause of the fatalities have not yet been determined. The Tennessee Department of Health will determine whether it is weather-related. 61 crashes involving injuries 241 crashes involving property damage 906 motorist assists 94 abandoned vehicles 269 roadway obstructions, many caused by downed trees 2 vehicle fires 2131 total phone calls to *THP requesting assistance “Led by the efforts of the Highway Patrol, all of our divisions have mobilized to assist Tennesseans through this severe winter storm,” said Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long. “We have joined together with other state and local agencies in dangerous conditions to help motorists and support local communities. We are asking everyone to help us by staying off the roads unless travel is absolutely necessary.” Troopers continue to patrol statewide and coordinate with local and state first responders and emergency managers as winter weather impacts persist. “THP response numbers show how dangerous road conditions continue to be across Tennessee,” said Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Matt Perry. “Our troopers are our round-the-clock helping people get to their destination safety. Right now, the safest choice is to stay home and if you do have to leave home, take your time and drive with caution.” Drivers are urged to avoid travel if possible. Those who must be on the road should slow down, increase following distance, identify alternate routes ahead of time and remain alert for rapidly changing conditions. State Road Conditions can be monitored through the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s website and social media. THP will also utilize its social channels to update residents and motorists.

Cannon County Schools are closed.

Cannon County government offices are closed Tuesday.  This includes the County Health Department and the convenience center.

All Cannon County General Sessions and Juvenile Court dockets are canceled for Tuesday.

General Sessions cases will be reset to February 17^th.  All attorneys and parties will be contacted later this week to reschedule Juvenile Court cases.

Woodbury’s trash route for Tuesday has been moved to Wednesday.

Cannon County’s basketball games at Community are canceled.  No date for rescheduling has been set at this time.

Due to ongoing severe winter weather conditions, Middle Tennessee State University will remain in remote operations for Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 27-28, with only essential staff reporting to campus.

TDOT Asking Motorists Not to Drive in Dangerous, Icy Conditions

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) continues to strongly urge motorists to stay home. TDOT crews are on their fourth day of clearing roads and are now removing downed trees. Due to the prolonged weather event, with ice and dangerously low temperatures being experienced across the state, conditions will remain hazardous for at least the next 24 to 48 hours.

TDOT’s Statewide Response by the Numbers to Date:

10,000 Equipment Hours

15,000 Labor Hours

3,500 Tons of Salt

1.4 Million Gallons of Brine

290,000+ Miles of Road Treated

861 Incidents Managed

With many waking up to ice and power outages, TDOT crews are doing their part by clearing downed trees from roadways and continuing their regular plowing and salting operations. The combination of snow, ice, and bitterly cold temperatures makes for an evolving response from TDOT. Here’s a closer look at the array of tools we can use to provide a targeted, multi-layered response based on weather conditions.

• When snow falls, we plow to keep the roads clear. We also spread salt to lower the freezing temperature of water and prevent ice on the roadways. However, because the forecast calls for colder temperatures, the salt won’t be strong enough if roadway temperatures fall below 16 degrees. 
• We can add calcium chloride to further lower the freezing temperature of water.
• If ice is present, we may also place down “hot brine,” which is a mixture of brine and calcium chloride.
• A dump truck with an underbody scraper follows behind, spreading hot brine and breaking up the ice.
• A plow follows last, clearing the ice from the roadway. 

Please avoid all non-essential travel due to the rapidly deteriorating road conditions. TDOT crews will continue working to keep primary routes, mainly interstates, clear. We will also target areas vulnerable to freezing, such as hills, curves, ramps, bridges, and interchanges. Keep in mind, even with continuous treatment, roads will remain hazardous until temperatures rise.

Drivers are urged to stay off the roads to allow crews to work safely and efficiently. If travel is unavoidable, motorists should reduce speed, increase following distance, and prepare for sudden patches of ice, as well as the possibility of downed trees and power lines.

From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest road conditions and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 for travel information or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/myTDOT for statewide travel.

Due to severe winter weather conditions, Middle Tennessee State University will transition to remote operations for Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 26-27, with only essential staff reporting to campus.

For faculty and students, faculty members will transition in-person classes to remote operations on Monday and Tuesday and will communicate their instructional plans to students in advance. Online courses will continue with normal operations.

For employees, each department/unit will identify and notify its designated essential employees, as well as those expected to work remotely.

Employees who provide essential services are advised to contact their supervisors if they feel conditions are too hazardous for them to travel.

The university will reassess weather conditions and determine operational status for Wednesday and beyond.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) reminds Tennesseans to use caution and be prepared when traveling in inclement winter weather. With strong winds, snow and ice forecasted across the state, THP encourages drivers to limit unnecessary travel. If you must be on the road, please keep yourself and your loved ones safe by following the cold weather safety tips below. 

Cold Weather Safety Tips for Your Vehicle:

• Maintain at least a half tank of gas in your vehicle
• Ensure your battery is in good condition (most auto parts stores will check it for free)
• Keep a set of jumper cables or a portable battery booster in your vehicle
• Check windshield washer fluid and add deicer (do not use water)
• Inspect windshield wipers and replace them if they are skipping, streaking, or cracked
• Remember: if your wipers are on, your headlights are required to be on as well
• Check tire air pressure, including the spare, and inspect tread depth
• Carry a bag of cat litter or sand for added traction
• Keep blankets, a flashlight, and extra batteries in your vehicle
• Keep a cell phone charger in your vehicle
• Have a coat, gloves, scarf, hat/toboggan, extra socks, and, if possible, waterproof shoes—dress appropriately for the weather
• Keep a first aid kit in your vehicle
• Carry nonperishable snacks, drinking water, and any necessary medications
• Do not tailgate; allow enough distance to stop safely
• Reduce your speed and drive appropriately for weather conditions
• Always wear your seat belt and avoid distracted driving

If you must drive, please do so cautiously and allow extra time to reach your destination. If your vehicle breaks down, activate your hazard lights and remain inside your vehicle, if it is safe to do so. Dial *847 (*THP) for highway assistance or 911 in the event of an emergency. 

The winter storm moving across the country has/will result in changes to our normal schedule.  Listed are a few of the items we are aware of at this time.

SATURDAY 24^TH

All Cannon County Government buildings will be closed.

The county convience center will be open Saturday until weather conditions forces a closure.

Short Mountain Distillery will be closed this weekend.

Adams Memorial Library will be closed Saturday.  The drop box will be closed, overdue items will not accrue fines.

SUNDAY 25^TH

Many houses of worship will not have in-person services.

Sunny Slope Baptist Church (having a service on Facebook Live),

Woodbury Baptist Church (service on their social media site and on WBRY)

Center Hill Baptist Church

Woodbury Church of Christ will have services

MONDAY 26^TH

Cannon County Schools will be closed Monday January 26th and Tuesday January 27th

All Cannon County government offices will be closed Monday, including the Convience Center.

Woodbury Municipal Court has been cancelled for Monday, all cases are reset for February 2nd.

Cannon County Health Department will be closed.

Cannon County Food Bank will be closed Monday.

Cannon County School Board has decided to postpone the work session concerning discussion of the middle school scheduled for Monday evening. A date will be set for this meeting at the upcoming February board meeting.

The parent/player meeting for Cannon County High School Football team scheduled for Monday night at the cafeteria is cancelled.  The new date is now February 2^nd.

If you have information to share with the community, please email; askus@wbry.com

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) is encouraging Tennesseans to prepare for the possibility of a major winter storm this weekend that could bring snow, ice, freezing rain, and freezing temperatures across the state.

National Weather Service forecasts show a significant winter storm moving through the state as early as Friday evening, with increased confidence for accumulating snow and freezing rain causing moderate to major impacts. As of this release, a Winter Storm Watch has been issued for all Tennessee counties from Friday evening (January 23) through Sunday (January 25). Dangerously cold temperatures are expected to last until midweek.

Travel impacts are expected across the state as the system moves through. When snow hits Tennessee, Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) ice and snow removal teams focus first on clearing interstates and heavily traveled state routes, specifically targeting areas vulnerable to freezing, such as hills, curves, ramps, bridges, and interchanges. During prolonged weather events, crews may have to clear roadways repeatedly. Tennesseans are asked to stay off the road unless travel is essential, and to give TDOT crews and first responders room to work safely.

TEMA and partner agencies will hold a media briefing on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 3 p.m. CST from the State Emergency Operations Center. The public can watch the briefing live on TEMA’s Youtube Channel.

We continue to work with local, regional, and state partners to support readiness actions and any requests for resources. For more information on this weather system, the public is encouraged to visit TEMA’s January 2026 Winter Weather webpage, which will be updated regularly with the latest forecasts, anticipated impacts, and safety guidance.

SAFETY INFORMATION

Warming Centers

We encourage Tennesseans who need a warm place to stay to locate warming centers or other local resources that may be available. These warming centers are operated by local officials and community organizations. TEMA maintains a map of these locally managed shelters. For more information on resources available, local assistance or questions about shelters in your area, please contact your local emergency management agency.

Generator Safety

Generators can be helpful during a power outage, but they present serious health and safety concerns if operated incorrectly. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use the generator prior to use. Some simple guidelines to follow include:

• Never use a generator indoors.
• Place them at least 20 feet from your home and away from windows.
• Do not hook them up directly to your home’s power supply.

On The Road

If you must drive in snow or freezing temperatures, reduce your speed and use extra caution. Black ice can be nearly impossible to spot, so when temperatures hover around freezing, drive as though ice is present on the roadway.

• Keep your gas tank as full as you can. A full tank will also keep the fuel line from freezing.
• When driving, increase your following distance from 3-4 seconds to 5-6 seconds. It takes longer to slow down and stop on icy roads.
• Every vehicle should have an emergency supply kit in the trunk. Kits should be checked every six months. Expired items should be replaced regularly.
• Keep family and emergency phone numbers, including your auto insurance provider and a towing company in your phone.
• Visit TDOT’s SmartWay Map for updated road conditions year-round.

PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION

Stay Informed

• Monitor Official Sources: Stay up to date with current weather information through your local National Weather Service Office and through your local news. Follow TEMA on social media for important guidance and updates and the TDOT for road conditions and updates.
• Sign Up For Alerts: Make sure your mobile device has weather notifications turned on. Some counties may offer emergency alerts through the local emergency management agency.
• Have a Weather Radio: NOAA Weather Radios are another tool that can provide life-saving alerts, even during power outages.

Make a Plan

• Create a Family Communication Plan: Your family may not be together when a disaster happens. Make sure everyone knows how to get in touch with one another and where to meet if separated.

Check Supplies

During winter weather, the main concerns at home or in the workplace include the potential loss of heat, power, and communications, as well as limited access to essential supplies if hazardous conditions persist. Make sure you have adequate emergency supplies on hand that meet the needs of your family, coworkers, and others in your daily community.•

• Essentials: Your emergency kit should include water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies, and important documents.
• For your Car: In case you are stranded, you should also have a kit for your car. You should include: kitty litter, ice scraper, cell phone charger, blanket, flares, or reflective triangles.
• Consider Specific Needs: Your kit should also include supplies that are specific to your daily needs and responsibilities. Don’t forget to have supplies for pets, infants, or elderly family members.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) can assure motorists that it is stocked and ready to clear roadways of ice and snow. Salt supplies have been replenished in all 95 counties in preparation for the winter season, and crews have readied snowplows and brine trucks. Forecast models indicate a significant winter weather event, and motorists are encouraged to stay off the roads.

“Maintaining safe, reliable roadways is our core mission, and winter operations are something we engineer well in advance,” said TDOT Commissioner Will Reid, P.E. “Supplies are stocked, equipment is ready and our crews are staged to deploy as soon as conditions warrant. Rapid clearance of our highways isn’t just a goal—it’s essential to protecting drivers and keeping Tennessee’s transportation network moving. Please allow our crews the room they need to operate safely and stay off the roads.”

TDOT’s statewide 2026 winter weather budget is $30.2 million and includes salt, salt brine, overtime for employees, and equipment maintenance. The department has three salt vendors to refill salt bins as needed in all 95 Tennessee counties.

TDOT currently has approximately 231,000 tons of salt and more than 1.3 million gallons of salt brine ready for use. Salt brine is a mixture of salt and water used to pre-treat roads before a winter storm or to melt snow on roadways when temperatures hover around freezing. Salt is applied to roads once snow accumulates.

When snow hits Tennessee, TDOT ice and snow removal teams focus first on clearing interstates and heavily traveled state routes, specifically targeting areas vulnerable to freezing, such as hills, curves, ramps, bridges, and interchanges. During prolonged weather events, crews may need to repeatedly clear roadways.

TDOT’s HELP team closely monitors weather forecasts several days in advance, proactively preparing staff to adjust schedules and ensure coverage—even during overnight hours in the event of prolonged severe weather. To support extended operations, trucks are pre-stocked with essential supplies, enabling crews to respond quickly and maintain readiness throughout challenging conditions.

For winter weather tips, travel information, and a regional breakdown of TDOT winter weather supplies and equipment, visit the TDOT website https://www.tn.gov/tdot/inclement-weather/ice-snow.html. You can check TDOT SmartWay for traffic updates, including road conditions and the live SmartWay cameras.