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have signed Gov. Lee’s 2020 suicide prevention proclamation. For the first time since its inception, the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network has secured signed suicide prevention proclamations from all 95 Tennessee county mayors.

The proclamations declare September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and denote a commitment to suicide prevention in Tennessee. Proclamations from 67 cities and 3 universities were secured, as well.

“These proclamations are a testament to the statewide dedication and support of local government leaders acknowledging September as Suicide Prevention and Awareness month,” stated TSPN Interim Executive Director Misty Leitsch. “The support and acknowledgement from local government and Governor Lee go to show that leaders in Tennessee are taking suicide prevention seriously.”

TSPN staff and volunteers worked throughout the month of September and beyond to secure these proclamations from local leaders.

In a video recorded for TSPN’s annual statewide event held September 9, Gov. Lee stated, “I strongly believe in the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network’s mission to save lives and to connect with people across our state. Their purpose is critical because they educate Tennesseans on the warning signs of suicide and give resources to those in our community who need them most.”

Suicide prevention resources, as well as information on upcoming events and trainings all over Tennessee, can be found online at tspn.org.

The board of Mayor and Alderman for the town of Woodbury met in regular session Tuesday night. During the meeting, a public hearing was conducted regarding Ordinance Number 515. The ordinance will amend the zoning map of the town of Woodbury in regard to a parcel wishing to be re-zoned to I-1, industrial. The action was recommended by the Woodbury Planning Commission. The property in question is located off Doolittle Road and is known as Saint Thomas Stones River Hospital.  During the earlier meeting of the Planning Commission, the board was asked to consider approval of new signage at the facility, that could only be approved with re-zoning the property to industrial.  

Following the public hearing, Ordinance Number 515 changing the property to industrial was approved by the Alderman.

Mayor Duggan asked that a special meeting, be scheduled for October 22nd at 4:00 PM, the meeting will be to review and approve bids for the Parker Hill water tank project. The construction of a new tower will provide over double the current capacity of the existing tank.  The mayor also asked to schedule a meeting of the beer board immediately the bid meeting on the 22^nd. The beer board meeting will be at 4:15 PM. Both meeting will be at town hall.

In other action Alderman Faye Knox ask the city to consider an in kind donation to an upcoming festival scheduled on the public square on Halloween. The donation would provide advertising for the event. The pumpkin festival is promoted as a safer alternative for children (and their parents) on Halloween. During the COVID-19 pandemic, trick or tricking will be difficult as many residents will not be participating.

In other action by the Mayor and Board of Alderman, the November meeting has been changed from November 3^rd (election day) to the next Tuesday, November 10^th.

Governor Bill Lee and the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group (FSAG) today announced an initial $50 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Funds for the new Supplemental Employer Recovery Grant (SERG) program to provide additional relief to small businesses suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new wave of funding includes specific support for minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses, as well as businesses owned by disabled persons.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and supporting them through these difficult times has been one of the core missions of the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group,” said Gov. Lee. “The SERG program will provide further relief to small businesses, especially those who may not have been able to access previous federal and state relief funds.”

Small business owners and non-profit organizations can apply to receive reimbursement for eligible direct expenses or costs incurred as a result of business interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program’s application window will opened today and will remain open until December 29, 2020, or until all funds are depleted. Please note:

• Funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis;
• Awards are capped at $30,000. Businesses located in low to moderate income (“LMI”) census tracts, Opportunity zones, or Promise zones will receive an additional $500 added to the maximum allowable expenses;
• 10% of all funds distributed under this program will be reserved for eligible diversity business enterprises, classified as minority business enterprises, women business enterprises, or service-disabled veteran business enterprises, and enterprises owned by disabled persons.

The period for reimbursable expenses is May 1, 2020 through August 31, 2020. Eligible expenses and business interruption costs include but are not limited to:

• Costs to create social distancing measures
• Purchasing personal protective equipment for employees or customers
• Contactless equipment
• Payroll expenses
• Mortgage interest

The SERG program follows the previously allocated $300 million for more than 40,000 qualifying businesses under the Tennessee Business Relief Program.

To apply and learn more about what is eligible for reimbursement, please visit https://tncaresact.tn.gov/SERG. For application assistance, please call 1-833-740-1438 or email support@TNCARESACT.com.

Woodbury Director of Public Works, Shane Gannon issued the following release this morning.

The Town of Woodbury Solid Waste Department would like to notify its customers that due to mechanical breakdowns to one of our garbage trucks, your curbside garbage pickup could be late.  We will be running our normal route on Tuesday, but we could be behind and if we do not finish, we will finish on Wednesday.  Once again, if your garbage is not picked up today (Tuesday), we will get it tomorrow (Wednesday).

We are sorry for any inconvenience and if you have questions please call Shane Gannon at 615-562-4221.                                                  

Tennesseans must register to vote by 11:59 tonight, Oct. 5, to be able to cast a ballot in the Nov. 3 State and Federal General Election. “I encourage all Tennesseans to register to vote or make sure their registration is up-to-date before the deadline tonight,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “It is important for all of us to make our voice heard at the polls. Thankfully you can safely register in minutes with our online voter registration system.” Registering to vote, updating your address or checking your registration status is fast, easy and secure with the Secretary of State’s online voter registration system. Any U.S. citizen with a driver’s license or a photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security can register online from any computer or mobile device at GoVoteTN.com. Voters can also download a paper voter registration application at GoVoteTN.com. Completed paper voter registration applications must be submitted or postmarked today, Oct. 5, to your local county election commission office. You can find the mailing address for your county election commission on our website, https://tnsos.org/elections/election_commissions.php.  Early voting starts Wednesday, Oct. 14, and runs Monday to Saturday until Thursday, Oct. 29. Election Day is Nov. 3. For the latest information on the upcoming election, follow the Secretary of State’s social media channels Twitter: @SecTreHargett, Facebook: Tennessee Secretary of State and Instagram: @tnsecofstate. For more information about registering to vote, voter eligibility, photo IDs, and other Election Day details, visit GoVoteTN.com or call the Division of Elections toll-free 1-877-850-4959.

Cannon County Schools would like to inform Parents and Guardians that Wednesday, October 7^th, 2020 and Wednesday, October 14^th, 2020 will be Remote Learning Days for ALL Students in Cannon County Schools.  This means that students will NOT be “On-Campus” at their schools on these dates, but will be learning at home on these dates.  Teachers and ALL Staff Personnel will report to their respective schools to utilize these days to work on Distance Learning activities and supports for our students.  Custodians will utilize this time for additional deep cleaning of the schools, and our Food Service Employees will be delivering meals via Cannon County School Buses to students and families on their routes during these Remote Learning Days for all students.

Cannon County Schools Director William F. Curtis stated, “Our Cannon County Schools Teachers and Staffs have been working diligently to make our Distance Learning Program succeed.  In doing double and even triple the amount of work, they need more time to get things done.  We already have had an In-Service Day on Monday, September 28^th, 2020 that Teachers worked on various activities; then on Wednesday, October 7^th, 2020 during this Remote Learning Day for ALL Students; followed by an additional Remote Learning Day on Wednesday, October 14^th, 2020. This results in three four day weeks up to Fall Break, which is scheduled on October 19^th – 23^rd, 2020 for our Students, Faculty and Staff.  Additional Remote Learning Days may be scheduled on Wednesdays in November and December if needed. An announcement concerning these possible days will be made after Fall Break.  My sincere thanks to Teachers and Staff Personnel for their hard work and persistence in this unprecedented time.  We additionally appreciate our Parents/Guardians for their patience and willingness to work with our dedicated family of educators, who each day work to fulfill OUR 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 accordance with the current scientific understanding of COVID-19, Tennessee’s Economic Recovery Group issued updated guidance today for businesses and other activities under the Tennessee Pledge. The updates follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and maintain emphasis on key preventative measures such as mask wearing, social distancing and frequent disinfection. The update follows executive orders signed by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee earlier this week.

“Our businesses have gone to great lengths to put in place strong measures to protect their employees, customers, and communities,” said Gov. Lee. “The updated Tennessee Pledge enables businesses to better sustain best practices with foundational pieces that help lead to healthy communities and open businesses.”

The updated and streamlined guidance aligns with recent amendments to state-issued Executive Orders and enable Tennessee businesses to operate with more flexibility where social distancing protocols remain in place. Full guidelines can be found at TNpledge.com, and include such updates as:

• Rather than recommending strict capacity limitations for attractions and entertainment, guidelines focus on case-by-case flexibility and provide examples for incorporating social distancing.
• Focusing on preventing COVID-19 transmission from close physical contact rather than surface transmission, though regular disinfection and hand hygiene remain important. For example, retail establishments may resume use of reusable bags. 
• Hotels may resume valet and reopen unstaffed gyms.
• Removing the recommendation to close playgrounds, provided that social distancing is followed to the extent possible.

Effective Monday, September 28, 2020, customers of the Smithville USDA Service Center will be able conduct business in person in the office by appointment only. Visitors will be pre-screened based on health concerns or recent travel and must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Visitors must wear a face covering during their appointment.

Visitors must call ahead and schedule an appointment.

Farm Service Agency: (615) 597-8225, Ext. 2

Natural Resources Conservation Service & DeKalb County Soil Conservation District: (615) 597-8225, Ext. 3

Employees may also be contacted by email at the following email addresses: 

Farm Service Agency: donald.green@usda.gov

Natural Resources Conservation Service: gene.robinson@usda.gov

Soil Conservation District: mary.houk@tn.nacdnet.net

Our program delivery staff will also continue to work with producers by phone and using online tools for those who do not feel comfortable coming to the Service Center in person.

Online services are still available to customers, including our new Box and OneSpan functionality that enable customers to sign and share FSA and NRCS documents with USDA Service Center staff in just a few clicks. Producers can get started with a simple username and password for Box or, for OneSpan, a quick identity verification. Additional services are available to customers with an eAuth account, which provides access to the farmers.gov portal where producers can view USDA farm loan information and payments and view and track certain USDA program applications and payments. Through the FSA website, customers can access certain FSA programs and view FSA data, including maps, on FSAfarm+.  Customers who do not already have an eAuth account can enroll at farmers.gov/sign-in. 

For the most current updates on program flexibilities due to the coronavirus visit farmers.gov/coronavirus. 

“Please vote for the only Cannon County agency in the State Farm Neighborhood Assist Grant contest – the Child Advocacy Center!” said Child Advocacy Center Cannon County Coordinator Amanda Hammond. 

This is the ninth year of the State Farm Neighborhood Assist Grant program.  State Farm will award $25,000 to forty non-profit organizations across the nation.  You have an opportunity to play a part in $25,000 coming to the Child Advocacy Center.  You can vote up to 10 times per day until October 2, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. 

Registering to vote is simple.  Go on the State Farm Neighborhood Assist website at www.neighborhoodassist.com.  Use your email address to create an account and your own password.  Then click the link to vote.  Scroll down to the Tennessee organizations and choose one of the Rutherford County agencies.  It is that simple! 

The Child Advocacy Center is a non-profit agency that works as a multidisciplinary team with the Department of Children’s Services, law enforcement, and the District Attorney’s Office to respond to child abuse, child sexual abuse, and drug endangered children cases.  In the last 20 years, the team has responded to over 16,000 child abuse cases and assisted over 24,000 Rutherford and Cannon County children and their families. 

“Financially, it is a tough time for non-profit agencies right now.  As a small nonprofit agency, we are very grateful for your support.  Please use this link to vote for the Child Advocacy Center https://www.neighborhoodassist.com/entry/2034563,” concluded Hammond.   

If you need any assistance registering to vote contact the Child Advocacy Center at 615-563-9915.   

An investigation of a fatal fire by Special Agent Fire Investigators with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the indictment and arrest of a Wilson County man.

In November 2019, fire investigators responded to a house fire in the 200 block of Commerce Street in Watertown. Resident Ben Edward Thompson, 72, was wheelchair-bound, and died in the fire. During the course of the investigation, Agents developed information that identified his nephew, Christophe Tillison, who also lived at that address, as the individual who caused the fire.

On September 15^th, the Wilson County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Christophe Sean Tillison (DOB 12/21/1979) with one count of Reckless Homicide. He was arrested on Thursday and booked into the Wilson County Jail. He was released after posting a $15,000 bond.