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Additional Support for Local Law Enforcement Recruitment Coming from State Budget

October 15, 2022October 14, 2022

Governor Bill Lee has announced two additional resources to support local law enforcement agencies in officer recruitment and training, following the recent launch of the $100 million Violent Crime Intervention Fund and continued Proven Crime Prevention investments.

“To stay ahead of the nationwide spike in crime, Tennessee is taking every step to recruit, train and retain highly-qualified law enforcement officers to keep our communities safe,” said Lee. “I commend police departments and sheriff’s offices for their continued partnership, and I’m confident these additional measures will strengthen public safety and relieve financial burdens for local law enforcement agencies.”

“Providing law enforcement with the best training available is what Tennessee citizens expect, and it is what we go to work every day to provide,” said Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance Commissioner Carter Lawrence. “Governor Lee’s bold, visionary plan for training and recruitment will help provide quality training for more local recruits at Tennessee’s premier law enforcement training academy without impacting the bottom line of Tennessee’s local governments.”

The state’s Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget includes resources managed by the Department of Commerce & Insurance to directly support local law enforcement agencies in increasing capacity and offsetting local costs:

$24 Million to Support Basic Training

Every Tennessee local law enforcement agency is now eligible to receive funding to cover the local share of training costs for new officers, including paid Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy (TLETA) tuition, training uniforms and additional professional development expenses.

This investment will provide 12-week officer training and save local law enforcement more than $3,000 per new officer. TLETA graduated the first class of officers through the program on September 30, including 110 officers from 61 agencies.

$30 Million in Recruitment Bonuses

Tennessee will dedicate $30 million to support recruitment and retention bonuses for newly hired police officers. The program will provide bonuses to more than 3,000 officers.

Bonuses will be dispersed in early 2023 following the rulemaking process.

In addition to strong recruitment and training supports, Lee has made the following Proven Crime Prevention investments to strengthen public safety and directly support law enforcement across Tennessee:

100 additional Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers funded by the state
Increased the frequency of training for new recruits and transfers from out-of-state to get law enforcement officers on the job faster
Creation of a statewide network of Correctional Officer training programs in partnership with TCATs and Community Colleges
More than $4 million in professional development programs for local correctional officers
More than $25 million in Evidence Based Programming grants for local jails to start and operate proven crime and recidivism reduction programs for inmates

Tennessee Gas Price Average Falls Below $4.00 Gallon

July 26, 2022July 25, 2022

The Tennessee gas price average fell below $4.00 per gallon on Friday for the first time since May 5. Gas prices across the state fell, on average, nearly 18 cents over last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $3.93 which is nearly 60 cents less expensive than one month ago and $1.06 more than one year ago.

“Tennessee is now in its sixth straight week for declining gas prices and drivers can likely expect prices at the pump to continue to drop yet again this week,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “We’ve seen another week of losses in the oil market and are continuing to see additional downward pressure on gas prices due to underwhelming gasoline demand figures – likely due to Americans changing their driving habits to offset rising gas prices.”

Quick Facts

74% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $4.00
The lowest 10% of pump prices are $3.56 for regular unleaded
The highest 10% of pump prices are $4.33 for regular unleaded
Tennessee is the 6th least expensive market in the nation

National Gas Prices

Lackluster demand for gas and lower oil prices led to pump prices falling again, down 17 cents since last week to $4.35. The steady decline is due to low domestic demand for gasoline and oil prices that remain in the mid-$90s per barrel. The price of gas has now fallen every day since hitting a record $5.01 on June 14.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand rose from 8.06 million b/d to 8.52 million b/d last week. However, that rate is 800,000 b/d lower than last year and is in line with demand during the middle of July 2020, when COVID-19 restrictions curbed demand. Additionally, total domestic gasoline stocks increased by 3.5 million bbl to 228.4 million bbl, signaling that low demand led to growth in inventory last week. If gas demand remains low as stocks increase, alongside a continuing reduction in crude prices, drivers will likely continue to see pump prices decline.

Today’s national average of $4.35 is 63 cents less than a month ago and $1.20 more than a year ago.

Drivers can find current gas prices along their route using the AAA TripTik Travel planner.

Tennessee Regional Prices

Most expensive metro markets – Knoxville ($4.13), Morristown ($4.13), Memphis ($4.01)
Least expensive metro markets – Clarksville ($3.72), Cleveland ($3.77), Chattanooga ($3.81)

Farm Service Agency Election Coming Up

May 27, 2022May 26, 2022

Donny Green, DeKalb-Cannon County FSA County Executive Director, announces that the nomination period for the 2022 Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee Election is underway. The nomination period continues through August 1, 2022.

“I encourage all producers to participate in the county committee election process by nominating candidates by the August 1 deadline,” said Green. “We are counting on as much participation as possible, because county committees are an important link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We have seen a trend in recent years of increased nominations of minority, beginning farmers, and women producers and we hope that will continue.”

Committees apply their judgment and knowledge to make decisions on county commodity price-support loan eligibility, establishment of allotments and yields, conservation programs, disaster programs, employment and other farm program-related issues. Nationwide, there are more than 7,700 farmers and ranchers serving on FSA county committees. Committees consist of three to 11 members who are elected by eligible local producers. Member serve three-year terms.

To be eligible to serve on an FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area in which the person is a candidate.

Nominees must reside in Local Administrative Area (LAA) for which they are seeking to be elected. For the 2022 Election, the DeKalb-Cannon FSA County Committee Election will conduct elections in LAA-3. Below is the description of the LAA’s that will be conducting elections this year:

Local Administrative Area # 3, the portions of DeKalb County described as following:

East of Hwy. 56 South beginning at the DeKalb/Warren county line, following Hwy. 56 in a northern direction to the intersection of Highway 56 and Highway 70; south of Highway 70 East to Center Hill Lake; following Center Hill Lake north and northwest to the Caney Fork River thence to the Smith County line; south of the Smith County line and west of the Putnam County line to the White County line; west of the White County line to the Warren County line; north of the Warren County line following the county line back to Highway 56 South at the DeKalb/Warren County line.

Individuals may nominate themselves, or others, as a candidate. In addition, eligible candidates can be nominated by community-based and other organizations in the county where the election is being held before the close of the nomination period, especially groups representing socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers. Nominations and elections are open to all eligible candidates and voters without regard to race, color, religion, nation origin, age, sex, marital status or disability. The nomination form (FSA-669A) is available at USDA Service Centers and online at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections

Ballots will be mailed to all eligible voters in LAA’s # 3 on November 7, 2022. Completed ballots must be returned, either in person or postmarked, no later December 5, 2022. For more information about FSA county committees, visit the DeKalb/Cannon County USDA Service Center or call 615-597-8225, extension 2.

CCHS Class of 2022

May 5, 2022May 3, 2022

WBRY continues the tradition of saluting the members of the Senior Class at Cannon County High School. Each day our listeners will learn about this year’s class. Profiles will air from 10am -4pm on AM 1540, FM 107.1 and streaming at wbry.com.

The awards program and graduation ceremonies will also air.

Tuesday 05/03/22

10am Carter Cawthorn

11am Parker Cawthorn

12pm Walker Cawthorn

1pm Caitlyn Crook

2pm Cynthia Brooke Davenport

3pm Walker Augutus (Gus) Davenport

4pm Ethan Duke

Wednesday 05/04/22

10am Kaylee Ashton Armstrong

11am Delaney Grace Aycock

12pm Clayton Dale Brown

1pm Lucas Kayne Byford

2pm Kyler Bryson

3pm Micah Campbell

4pm Harrison Carr

Thursday 05\05/22

10am Lilly Ellis

11am Hagan Braxton Fann

12pm Eric Alex Foster

1pm Aleena Gladden

2pm Rebecca Green

3pm Natile Brooke Heisey

4pm Jacob C Hodge

Friday 05/06/22

10am Cordell Howell

11am Wade Jones

12pm Riley Johnson

1pm Morgan Ann Keller

2pm Meylund Lawrance

3pm Nolan Thomas Ryan Lovvorn

4pm Abigail Maier

Local Producers Urged to Consider Risk Protection Coverage before March 15th Sales Closing Deadline

March 12, 2022March 11, 2022

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers of commercial fruits and vegetables they must file application for Noninsured Crop Assistance Disaster (NAP) Program coverage by the March 15, 2022 final sales closing date for the following crops:

green beans, sweet corn, tomatoes, potatoes, okra, squash, peas, pumpkins

peppers, watermelons, cucumbers, cantaloupes and hemp.

NAP provides catastrophic level (CAT) coverage based on the amount of loss that exceeds 50 percent of expected production at 55 percent of the average market price for the crop. The 2018 Farm Bill authorizes additional coverage levels ranging from 50 to 65 percent of production, in 5 percent increments, at 100 percent of the average market price. Additional coverage must be elected by a producer by the application closing date. Producers who elect additional coverage must pay a premium in addition to the service fee. Crops intended for grazing are not eligible for additional coverage.

Eligible producers must apply for coverage using form CCC-471, “Application for Coverage,” and pay the applicable service fee at the FSA office. The application and service fee must be filed by the application closing date. For all coverage levels, the NAP service fee is the lesser of $325 per crop or $825 per producer per administrative county, not to exceed a total of $1,950. Producers can elect increases coverage for additional premiums.

Beginning, limited resource, socially disadvantaged and qualifying veterans are eligible for a waiver of the service fee and a 50 percent premium reduction when they file form CCC-860. A “beginning farmer” is defined as a person who has not operated a farm for more than 10 years, and materially and substantially participates in the operation. For 2022, in DeKalb and Cannon counties, a “limited resource farmer” is defined as having gross farm sales less than or equal to $189,200 per year in each of the tax years 2019 and 2020 and less than $29,419 (Cannon Co.) or $26,500 (DeKalb Co.) in total household adjusted gross income each tax year 2019 and 2020. A “socially disadvantaged farmer” is defined as a farmer who is a member of groups such as: American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Asians, Asian Americans, Blacks, African Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and Women. A “veteran farmer” is defined as a farmer who has served in the Armed Forces and has operated a farm for less than 10 years, or first obtained status as a veteran during the most recent 10-year period.

For additional program details, contact the DeKalb/Cannon County Farm Service Agency, located at 647 Bright Hill Rd., or phone the office at 597-8225, extension 2.

Gerald Melton Announces Candidacy for Re-Election

December 9, 2021December 9, 2021

Gerald L. Melton, Public Defender for the 16th Judicial District, has officially announced his
candidacy for re-election.
The 16th Judicial District is comprised of Rutherford and Cannon Counties. He will be a
candidate in the Republican Primary to be held in May of 2022.

The Public Defender is responsible for representing indigent persons who are accused of committing criminal offenses, “thereby fulfilling the right to counsel as provided by the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article One Section Nine of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee,” Melton stated.

As Public Defender, Melton maintains an active personal caseload and supervises the work of thirteen Assistant Public Defenders. Gerald’s
undergraduate degree is from Middle Tennessee State University and his law degree is from the University of Tennessee. He trained in capital case defenses and is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.

In addition to the Public Defender’s obligations in the local courts and appellate courts, the job
requires Melton to be the chief administrative officer for the local public defender’s office. In
that capacity, the Public Defender makes personnel decisions, budget decisions and has other
administrative responsibilities attendant to running the local office. In performing these duties,
Melton’s goal has been to run the office “in accordance with sound business practices and the
public trust.”

Melton views the obligations of the Public Defender with a broad vision. While the primary role
of the Public Defender is to represent the interests of the person immediately before the court,
Melton believes that performing that duty also assures the continued viability of the
Constitutional rights of all persons. “Defending the rights of one person,” Melton said, “protects
the public against the use of unwarranted governmental power.” He added, “This task is more
important today than ever before.”

In addition to his duties as District Public Defender, Melton has a background of service to the
legal profession. He has served as a member of the Board of Governors of the Tennessee Bar
Association and as a member of the House of Delegates of the Tennessee Bar Association. He
has been Continuing Legal Education Coordinator for the Public Defenders Conference of
Tennessee and has served as an advisor to the Tennessee General Assembly on matters of
criminal law and procedure as a member of the Tennessee Sentencing Commission. He served
on Governor Haslam’s Sentencing and Recidivism Commission, and he has served on the
Tennessee Medical Examiners Advisory Board for the State of Tennessee. Melton has also
served on the Bench and Bar Relations Committee of the Administrative Office of the Courts.
His fellow Public Defenders have selected him President of the District Public defender’s
Conference on two separate occasions.

Gerald is an adjunct instructor in the Criminal Justice Department at Middle Tennessee State
University, where he has taught criminal law for several years. He has former students who are
now actively involved in law enforcement and former students who have completed law school
and who are now practicing attorneys.

Gerald is married to Marcia Garrett Melton, who is a professional educator in the Cannon
County School System. Marcia is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Cannon County
Schools and in that capacity, she has been honored by being named Supervisor of the Year for
the State of Tennessee. She has also served as Superintendent of Cannon County Schools.
Gerald and Marcia are the proud parents of five children, and they have eleven grandchildren.
Public Defender Melton is active in community affairs. Gerald and Marcia are members of the
Lions Club, members of the Friends of Edgar Evans State Park and they are involved with the
Arts Center of Cannon County. They are members church of Christ. Gerald and Marcia have also
been known to hobnob with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Moving forward, Melton hopes to add social worker services to the Public Defender’s office in
order to better address systemic factors that lead individuals into situations resulting in criminal
charges. In his announcement, Melton stated, “It is with great appreciation that I have served
as your Public Defender for several years, seeking to fulfill this public service obligation while at
the same time maintaining a balance of faith, family and friends. I humbly ask for your support
as I seek the Republican Party nomination in May.”

Rutherford County Man Charged with Killing His Wife

September 29, 2021September 28, 2021

A husband was charged after he allegedly shot and killed his wife Monday night at their home near Readyville.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to a shooting call at a Bivens Hill Road home where Irwin Keith “Boo” Odom and his wife Toni lived.

Detective Capt. Britt Reed said, “Deputies located Mrs. Odom in the residence deceased from an apparent gunshot injury.”

Detective Ty Downing said Odom was at the home when they arrived. Downing noted, “He agreed to meet with the investigators for an interview.”

After the interview, Downing charged the 50-year-old man with the first-degree murder of his 27-year-old wife. The Odoms were married five years.

Detectives obtained search warrants for the home where they gathered evidence.

Odom is being held on $1 million bond. A hearing is set Wednesday (9/29/2021) in Rutherford General Sessions Court.

Thanks to our media partner, WGNS

William Keith Bowman, Sr.

September 29, 2021September 28, 2021

William Keith Bowman, Sr., 94, passed away Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at his home in Woodbury.

He is survived by 4 Children, Alice Whittle, Pam (Michael) O’Hara, Bill Bowman & Charles (Cynthia) Bowman all of Woodbury; Grandchildren, Crystal (Jon) Boyce, Tiffany O’Hara, Jimmy Whittle, Cliff (Ashley) Bowman, Brooke (Jesse) Slaughter, Christopher Bowman & Sara Bowman; Siblings, Edward Bowman Peggy Jo Hollis, Louise Hillis, Shirley Borren & Richard Bowman. Also surviving are 5 great grandchildren.

Mr. Bowman was preceded in death by his parents, Hoyd & Minnie Smith Bowman; his wife, Mary Anita Powell Bowman; sisters, Ruth Borren & Doris Hibdon; granddaughter, Angel Whittle and son-in-law, George Whittle.

He was a member of the church of Christ and a farmer. Keith was a Cannon County Commissioner and a school board member also a Farm Bureau Director. He enjoyed his horses and hunting quail with his dogs.

Funeral services will be 11 am Saturday, October 2, 2021 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Al Bugg, Jr. and Bro. Richard Bowman officiating.  Interment will follow in the Pleasant View cemetery.  Pallbearers includes Matt Sears, Jon Bryce, Jesse Slaughter, Cliff & Christopher Bowman and Luke Turney.

Visitation with the family will be from 4 pm until 8 pm Friday, October 1, 2021.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences and memories for his family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Tennesseans Encouraged to Register to Vote on National Voter Registration Day

September 28, 2021September 27, 2021

To celebrate National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, Sept. 28, Secretary of State Tre Hargett encourages Tennesseans to register to vote, check their voter registration status and show friends, coworkers and neighbors how to register online in minutes.

“It’s never been easier to register to vote in Tennessee and our office is excited to lead the effort to help all eligible voters in our great state get registered,” said Secretary Hargett. “We are doing this with college voter registration tailgates and by working with businesses, non-profits and civic organizations across the state through our Your Vote Matters program.”

This month, the Secretary of State’s office is working with student volunteers, university and athletic department staff, student government associations, campus organizations and local county election commissions at Tennessee’s nine Division I Public Universities conducting voter registration drives on campus.

Through the Your Vote Matters program, the Secretary of State’s office is providing participating businesses, non-profits and civic organizations across the state with tools they can use to promote voter registration and civic engagement to their employees, customers and community. As part of the Your Vote Matters program, Secretary Hargett is also speaking with corporate and community organizations in person and virtually about increasing civic engagement.

“The first step to making your voice heard on Election Day is registering to vote. If you are not registered, don’t wait. Now is the time to get ready to cast your ballot by registering to vote,” said Secretary Hargett. “If you’re already registered, you can participate by helping us spread the word about National Voter Registration Day and encouraging everyone in your spheres of influence to get registered.”

It has never been easier to register to vote in Tennessee. Registering to vote, updating or checking your registration status is fast, easy and secure with the Secretary of State’s online voter registration system, GoVoteTN.gov.

Using a computer, phone or tablet, 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 in minutes at GoVoteTN.gov. Each submission is checked against the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s database. A paper voter registration application is also available to download at GoVoteTN.gov.

National Voter Registration Day and National Voter Registration Month are nonpartisan, nationwide efforts to encourage all eligible voters to register and participate in the electoral process.

For more information about registering to vote in Tennessee, go to GoVoteTN.gov or call the Division of Elections toll-free at 1-877-850-4959.

Janice Borren Bailey

August 29, 2021August 28, 2021

Janice Borren Bailey, 65, of Smyrna and a native of Cannon Co., passed away Friday, August 27, 2021 at Tristar Stonecrest Medical Center.

She is survived by her son, Matt (Cindy) Duggin of Smithville; sister, Judy (Randall) Holt of Woodbury and her significant other, Patrick “Shorty” Regg of Smyrna.  Also surviving are 5 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, 4 nephews and 2 nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward & Jewell Parker Borren; her son, Jason Duggin and her brother, Larry Borren.

A member of the Baptist church, Janice was retired from O’Reilly’s where she delivered parts and she had previously worked for Better Built.  She was the “QVC Queen” and loved to fish and garden.  She especially loved her beloved dog, Lilly Grace.

Funeral services will be 2 pm Tuesday, August 31, 2021 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Greg Mitchell officiating.  Burial will follow in Cherry cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be Monday, August 30, 2021 from 3 pm – 8 pm.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences and memories for her family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net