The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) has launched Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE), a free service that provides crime victims, their families and concerned citizens with reliable information about custody status changes and criminal case information for offenders who are currently in the custody of TDOC.

The VINE system allows individuals to opt-in to receiving electronic notifications, have more control over the type of notifications received, and choose the method in which they are notified. Additionally, because many county jails already use the VINE system, TDOC hopes this addition will help to streamline victim notifications. VINE will be used in conjunction with TDOC’s current victim notification system, which provides written notice of offender’s location, transfer, sentence expiration, release, and parole eligibility.

Anyone wishing to receive updates via VINE should log on to VINELink.com, select Tennessee from the dropdown menu, and search for the offender by name or offender ID. Once located, register to receive notifications by phone, email, TTY, and text message. Live operators are also available to provide support 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 888-868-4631.

TDOC’s Victim Services Unit serves all victims of crime and provides not only notification services to keep victims informed but also offers crisis intervention and advocacy, community education and referrals to other state and community resources.

If you are a victim of crime and have questions about notifications, resources or services available to you, please email victim.notification@tn.gov.

TDOC Introduces New Victim Notification Service

The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) has launched Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE), a free service that provides crime victims, their families and concerned citizens with reliable information about custody status changes and criminal case information for offenders who are currently in the custody of TDOC.

The VINE system allows individuals to opt-in to receiving electronic notifications, have more control over the type of notifications received, and choose the method in which they are notified. Additionally, because many county jails already use the VINE system, TDOC hopes this addition will help to streamline victim notifications. VINE will be used in conjunction with TDOC’s current victim notification system, which provides written notice of offender’s location, transfer, sentence expiration, release, and parole eligibility.

Anyone wishing to receive updates via VINE should log on to VINELink.com, select Tennessee from the dropdown menu, and search for the offender by name or offender ID. Once located, register to receive notifications by phone, email, TTY, and text message. Live operators are also available to provide support 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 888-868-4631.

TDOC’s Victim Services Unit serves all victims of crime and provides not only notification services to keep victims informed but also offers crisis intervention and advocacy, community education and referrals to other state and community resources.

If you are a victim of crime and have questions about notifications, resources or services available to you, please email victim.notification@tn.gov.

Cannon County Schools is pleased to announce Ashley Patrick as Physical Education-Wellness Teacher and Head Girls Basketball Coach at Cannon County High School beginning with the 2021-2022 School Year. 

Patrick has taught most recently at Woodland School in 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, previously at Murfreesboro City Schools 2018-2019 and part of 2019-2020 (before transferring to Cannon County Schools), and Rutherford County Schools in 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. 

Coach Patrick met with CCHS Girls Basketball Players on Wednesday, June 16^th, 2021 and will be conducting Girls Basketball Tryouts on Saturday, June 19^th, 2021 from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM for Freshman – Seniors.  She will be meeting with Girls Basketball Parents and Boosters at a later date and will be taking the Lionettes to Summer Basketball Camps.  

Upon being named CCHS Girls Basketball Head Coach Mrs. Ashley Patrick commented, “I am very thankful for the opportunity to lead the Lionettes program. I am especially eager to get to work and hope to see everyone come out and support your Lionettes this upcoming season!”

Cannon County High School Principal Courtney Nichols commented, “I am extremely excited to welcome Mrs. Patrick to the faculty as Cannon County High School as both Physical Education teacher and head coach of the Lionettes basketball program! It is always a joy when we have alumni of our school return to be a part of our family at CCHS. Ashley brings youth, energy, and passion to our school. I know that she will make a tremendous impact on our students that she works with in the classroom not only in the lessons she teaches but in the example she sets for living a healthy and active life. She will also be an exceptional leader for our basketball program and a role model our girls can look up to and emulate. We are excited and looking forward to all that she will lead the Lionettes to accomplish both on the basketball court and off!”

New Cannon County Athletic Director Jeran Tenpenny stated, “I am thrilled to have Coach Patrick as our new girls basketball coach. Ashley is a Lionette herself who played during a period of tremendous success for the program. She is excited and looking forward to bringing that level of excitement and energy back to the team. Ashley has a passion and dedication not only to Lionettes’ basketball but also to Cannon County as a whole, as it is the place she has always called home. We are joyful to have that kind of vested interest in our basketball team, school, and community. Beyond what she will lead the Lionettes to accomplish as basketball players, I know she will help mold them into women who are prepared to be successful in all facets of life, beyond just basketball. We are looking forward to a bright season and future for the program and invite all Cannon Countians and Lions and Lionettes fans to help us in welcoming “one of our own” home to continue to the historic tradition and pride that is Lionettes Basketball!”

Director of Cannon County Schools William Curtis commented, “I am glad to have Ashley Patrick in Cannon County Schools as an outstanding Physical Education – Wellness Educator at Cannon County High School.  She did outstanding work at Woodland Elementary School the past year and half and will bring excitement and energy to the Lionettes Basketball program!  I believe her pride and school spirit as a former team member of the Lionettes will be a great motivator for our CCHS Girls Basketball Team and Program, and will instill our VISION and MISSION of Cannon County Schools – VISION – ‘Engaged in Excellence EVERY Day in EVERY Way!’ through OUR MISSION – ‘To Create a Unified Environment That Will Provide Opportunities for All Students to Reach Their Full Potential!’ in our student athletes!”

U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency Executive Director Donny Green reminds producers to report planted, prevented planted, and failed acres to establish or retain FSA program eligibility. For planted crops, the following acreage reporting deadlines are applicable for Cannon and DeKalb Counties for the 2021 crop year:

July 15:  Corn, soybeans, cucumbers, okra, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, squash, strawberries, tomatoes, watermelons, cantaloupes, peas, and perennial forage (hay and pasture).

July 31:  Hemp

Aug. 15:  Green beans

Dec.  15:  Fall-seeded small grains (wheat)

The following exceptions apply to the above acreage reporting dates:

•             If the crop has not been planted by the above acreage reporting date, the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed.

•             If a producer acquires additional acreage after the above acreage reporting date, the acreage must be reported no later than 30 calendars days after purchase or acquiring the lease. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the county office.

•             If a perennial forage crop is reported with the intended use of “cover only,” “green manure,” “left standing” or “seed,” the acreage must be reported by July 15, 2021.

Producers must report crop acreage they intended to plant but, due to natural disaster, were prevented from planting. Prevented planting acreage must be reported on form FSA-576, Notice of Loss, no later than 15 calendar days after the final planting date, as established by FSA and the Risk Management Agency. According to Green, the final planting date for corn was May 20, 2021 and the final planting date for soybeans was June 15, 2021.

Producers with failed acres should also use form FSA-576, Notice of Loss, to report failed acres. For losses on crops covered by the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program and crop insurance, producers must file a Notice of Loss within 15 days of the occurrence of the disaster or when losses become apparent. Producers must timely file a Notice of Loss for failed acres on all crops including grasses.

Contact the DeKalb/Cannon County FSA office at 615-597-8225 to schedule an appointment to file your crop year 2021 crop acreage report. To find your local FSA office, visit www.farmers.gov.

Javin Fann, who is in his second term as a member of the Cannon County School Board, and has been serving as chairman for two years has submitted his resignation from the panel. 

Fann’s brief letter detailed frustration with challenges faced by the board in doing its work.

He said, “I have given Cannon County Schools five years of my life, giving it with open mind and spirit.  Going into it I truly thought that I could make positive changes to help the students of Cannon County.  Having said that I realize that it is truly to no avail.” He continued, “The powers that be do not truly want what is best for the Children of Cannon County.  I am not going into details about specifics, but my opinion and concerns are of no value.  Due to my time that has been sacrificed and ignored for the most part I hereby am turning in my resignation.”

Fann was elected in 2016, and again in 2020, to represent District 4.

Cannon County Schools Director Freddy Curtis expressed sadness, and said, “We sincerely appreciate the service of  Javin Fann of District 4 for the past five years on the Board and as Chairman of the Cannon County Board of Education for the past nearly two years.” Curtis noted that Fann has been instrumental in developing both VISION and MISSION of Cannon County Schools – VISION – ‘Engaged in Excellence EVERY Day in EVERY Way!’ through OUR MISSION – ‘To Create a Unified Environment That Will Provide Opportunities for All Students to Reach Their Full Potential! He also wished Fann the best.

Curtis has informed other school board members and county officials of Fann’s resignation.  To fill the position on an interim basis, the vacancy has been placed on the agenda for the next monthly meeting of the county commission on Saturday, July 10th, at 10:00 a.m. at the courthouse. Individuals interested in serving on the school board on an interim basis must live in District 4 and discuss their interest with their county commissioner.  The full commission will vote for this open position, and the individual approved will serve until the General Special Election is held next year.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is warning the public about a reported phone scheme involving a man presenting himself as a representative of a human trafficking task force.

The scheme reportedly uses the phone number of the Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline, as well as a number associated with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. The caller, who reportedly identifies himself as “Ryan McClain,” states he represents the “Nashville Human Trafficking Task Force” and informs the individual their phone number has been identified as being on the phone of a human trafficking victim, and if they want to have their name “cleared,” they need to pay a large sum of money.

Anyone who receives a similar phone call should ignore the caller’s message and report it to the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND or online at www.ic3.gov.

A long time Cannon County educator has been named principal of Short Mountain Elementary School. Director of Schools Freddy Curtis has named Candice Prater Lewis to the post.

The new principal has lived in Cannon County most of her life. She graduated from Short Mountain Elementary School and Cannon County High School. She is a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Master in Instructional Leadership from Tennessee Technological University.

After teaching 12 years, Lewis says she is looking forward to becoming the principal at Short Mountain Elementary School.  She said, “I encourage an environment where all stakeholders are involved in education by cultivating relationships with parents and students, which has proven effective in the 12 years I have taught.  It is my aspiration to use my experience and knowledge to make a difference as principal!”

Curtis said he was excited to make the appointment. “[Mrs. Lewis] is a proven veteran educator and is very well respected among her colleagues. I am extremely appreciative of her willingness to be the leader of the team to achieve our VISION and MISSION of Cannon County Schools and specifically Short Mountain Elementary School – VISION – ‘Engaged in Excellence EVERY Day in EVERY Way!’ through OUR MISSION – ‘To Create a Unified Environment That Will Provide Opportunities for All Students to Reach Their Full Potential!”

The principal’s position became available when former Principal Stephanie Alexander accepted the job as Cannon County Schools ESSER 3.0 Monitor/Academic Data Analyst position. Principal Lewis is married to Jared Lewis, and they reside in the Short Mountain Community. Their son, Landen, is a student at Short Mountain Elementary School.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Consumer and Industry Services Division (CIS) is alerting consumers to a recall of chocolate chip cookies.

An undeclared allergen was discovered during routine sampling and testing of food products at a Kroger store in Sevierville, Tenn. The product, Simple Truth Plant-Based Chocolate Chip Cookies, tested positive for the presence of dairy. Dairy is an allergen and was not declared on the product packaging.

The Simple Truth Plant-Based Chocolate Chip Cookies 6-ounce package was distributed by Too Good Gourmet. of Lorenzo, Calif. and is identified with the best by date of Nov. 17, 2021 and UPC 11110-05278.

Random food sample collection by CIS inspectors and analysis by lab technicians is a primary way the Department of Agriculture protects consumer health. Since July 1, 2020, CIS staff have inspected 11,649 retail food stores statewide. Laboratory staff performed approximately 1,100 tests for pathogens, allergens, and other contaminants on 550 human food samples during that same period.

The CIS Technical Services Lab increased its scope of accreditation with their annual International Organization for Standardization (ISO)17025 assessment in 2020, demonstrating the laboratory’s commitment to the highest standards, technical competence, and continual improvement. The successful accreditation, along with the partnership with the nationally integrated food safety network developed through the FDA, positions Tennessee as a leader in food safety.

So far, TDA has not received reports that the plant-based chocolate chip cookies have caused illness but wants consumers to be aware of the dairy allergen. FDA works with food manufacturers to recall their products from the marketplace when the products are mislabeled or when the food may present a health hazard.

For some time the Mayor and Board of Alderman for the Town of Woodbury has approved several actions concerning their water utility district. Construction of a new water tower, service work on another storage facility and addition of new equipment are just a few of the items underway.

At this week’s meeting of the Mayor and Board of Alderman, the group took an additional step.

Today, the Tennessee Department of Education announced over $2 million in Perkins Reserve Grant awards to 38 school districts for the 2021-22 school year to support career and technical education (CTE) across the state. Two-hundred and fifty thousand dollars are allocated for Cannon County Schools.

The Perkins Reserve Grant (PRG) is a competitive grant opportunity made possible through the federal Perkins V legislation passed in 2018. In 2020, the PRG grant opportunity was redesigned under the four-yearStrengthening Career and Technical Education in Tennessee state plan to foster local innovation and support implementation of CTE programs and career pathways, especially in more rural areas, aligned with regionally identified high skill, high wage, and/or in-demand occupations or industries.

At the K-12 level for the 2021-22 school year, 38 Tennessee school districts, 13 of which are in economically at-risk or distressed counties, will receive a total of $2.3 million in Perkins Reserve Grant (PRG) awards. 

“Tennessee is continuing to focus on career and technical education to boost student readiness and postsecondary success, and the Perkins Reserve Grant awards help support this work especially in our rural districts,”said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “These grant awards will ensure districts, schools and partners can continue coming together to help expand CTE opportunities for all students.” 

The 38 school districts across the state are receiving a 2021-22 Perkins Reserve Grant awards. Listed below is Cannon and any surrounding counties: 

School District	Secondary Award	Regional Career Pathways Awards	Program(s) Funded
Cannon County Schools	$50,000.00	$200,000.00	·  College and Career Awareness of High Skill, High Wage, and In-Demand Occupations at the Middle Grades Level   ·  Expansion of STEM Pathway
Coffee County Schools	$41,079.38	–	Career and Job Skills for All
Rutherford County Schools	$50,000.00	–	·  Student Industry Certification Initiative  ·  New Audio/Visual Production CTE Program of Study
Warren County Schools	$50,000.00	–	·  CTE Industry Certification Exam/EPSO Dual Credit Initiative  ·  Virtual Job Shadow   ·  BOXLIGHT Technology
Wilson County Schools	$50,000.00	–	Closing the Gap with CNA

This year’s Perkins Reserve Grant recipients submitted applications for programs, initiatives, and strategies that help to ensure their students succeed in exploring, choosing, and following a career pathway to success, whether by providing equitable access, aligned career pathways, high-quality learning experiences, or a combination thereof.

“Thanks to the Perkins Reserve Grants, Cannon County Schools’ students will have additional resources and additional opportunities specifically in the Middle Grades regarding Career and Technical Education through CTE equipment, which is so very important to prepare them for future postsecondary and career success,”said Mr. William Freddy Curtis, Director of Schools, Cannon County Schools. “This funding will enable and enhance our efforts in College and Career Awareness of high skill, high wage, and in-demand occupations at the Middle Grades Level and the expansion of our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Pathway.   We are so very appreciative to the Tennessee Department of Education for these funds to keep Cannon County and Tennessee to be focused on education, skills, and aiding in the preparation of Cannon County students for career and workforce development.”

Applications were reviewed by a team of TDOE staff from the Division of College, Career and Technical Education and partners from the Tennessee Board of Regents. All applications needed to address at least one of the priority areas of the state plan – ensuring equitable access, aligning career pathways, and/or ensuring high-quality learning experiences, and the Regional Career Pathways application must also include a regionally focused secondary and postsecondary or workforce partnership.

“Cannon County Schools is excited to have been chosen as a recipient for both the Secondary Perkins Reserve and the Regional Career Pathways Grants. This funding will allow Cannon County Schools to increase awareness of Career and Technical Education at the middle grades level by utilizing career exploration programs and enable the county to employ a dedicated middle grades teacher to ensure equity for all students,” commented Mrs. Crystal Kennedy, Cannon County Schools Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director.  Another aspect of this funding is to expand our STEM pathway programs at both the high school and middle grades level by purchasing much needed industry-standard equipment, working with post-secondary institutions to offer industry certifications and course credit, as well as partnering with local and regional industry partners to host internships and Work Based Learning opportunities.

More information on the Perkins Reserve Grant may be found here.

Industrial hemp growers in Tennessee are required to renew their licenses with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) by June 30, 2021.

“Hemp continues to be an important crop in Tennessee,” Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. said. “The marketplace is evolving and growers are finding new ways to use and market their crop. We want to see the industry flourish, and TDA has abundant resources to make sure growers have what they need.”

New applications are accepted year-round and expire June 30. New applicants and renewing applicants must submit an application, license fees, and required documentation. If a renewal application and payment are not received by the deadline, the grower’s license will expire June 30, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. CDT.

TDA plant certification staff are a resource for new and existing hemp growers who want assistance navigating and understanding regulations and requirements. Consultants in the Business Development Division support the hemp industry by helping create or expand businesses and promoting businesses through Pick Tennessee Products.

Pick Tennessee Products is TDA’s program that connects farmers directly to consumers. Hemp producers near you can be found at www.picktnproducts.org or on the Pick TN mobile app. Tennessee hemp growers, processors, and manufacturers can apply to be included in the directory at www.picktnproducts.org/apply-pick-tennessee-products-application.html.

Information about the hemp program in Tennessee can be found online at www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/hemp-industry.html. Questions should be emailed to industrial.hemp@tn.gov. The hemp grower application can be found at stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/tda_hemp_grower_application. Growers without online access should call 615-837-5137 for a paper application.