2016

Identity thieves don’t care whether their victims are old or young.  All they care about is stealing valuable information they can use in their frauds and schemes.

As the new school year kicks into high gear, the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance’s (TDCI) Division of Consumer Affairs reminds busy parents not to take their children’s personal information for granted or falsely assume that identity thieves won’t target their children.

“Identity thieves are constantly searching for ways to pry personal information away from unsuspecting victims – including children,” said TDCI Deputy Commissioner Bill Giannini. “Parents should never think their kids are too young to be victims of crimes that can have lifelong consequences.”

While the Tennessee Privacy of School Records Laws, Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-504 (2015), generally protect the privacy of student records, parents should adopt some good habits in their everyday lives to help safeguard their children. Consider:

    Don’t share your child’s Social Security number unless it is to a trusted party.
    Keep your child’s personal information (name, birth certificate, school paperwork) in a safe, secure location.
    Shred any outdated documents containing your child’s personal information before throwing them away.
    When asked for your child’s personal information, don’t be afraid to ask questions: “How will this information be used?”, “Who will have access?”, “How will it be kept safe?” and, “Can I opt out?”
    Look for possible warning signs of identity theft such as your child receiving credit card applications.

In addition to building these good identity-theft protection habits, Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-18-2111 gives parents or legal guardians the ability to enact a security freeze on persons under 16 years of age. Generally, when the freeze is in place, consumer reporting agencies (e.g. TransUnion, Equifax, Experian) cannot release that person’s credit report, or any other information derived from the report, regarding that person unless the security freeze is removed.

To request a Security Freeze, simply contact the consumer reporting agency to request the freeze be placed. The maximum fee for placing or lifting a freeze for a protected consumer is $10 for each action.

For more information on how to request a security freeze visit www.tn.gov/consumer.

A man who had probation violation warrants against him in Cannon County now faces charges against him in Warren County.  According to the Southern Standard, McMinnville Police chased down and arrested Wesley P. Scott age 28 after he led them on a chase.  Officers observed him driving a 2000 Chrysler Town and Country automobile at a slow rate of speed.  The arresting officer believed he was driving drunk.  After attempting to pull Scott over, he took off at a high rate of speed through a parking lot, ran a red light and hit several curbs before coming to a stop in Cruisers parking lot .  He then got out of the vehicle and ran into the bar.  Police caught him inside and placed him under arrest for evading arrest and reckless endangerment.  Court date is pending.

October 8th is the date for the 11th Annual History Hayride at Edgar Evins State Park, Silver Point, between Cookeville and Sparta. Ride wagons back into the past where costumed characters from the history of the park and surrounding area will tell their stories. Cost is $15 per person. Reservations required. On-line reservations may be made at  https://www.tnvacation.com/events/8740  If you need help making reservations please call the park office for contact information for Fount Bertram, President of Friends of Edgar Evins State Park. The park office phone numbers are (931) 858-2114 or toll free at 1- 800-250-8619
 

Sept. 6—Board meeting workshop, 6:30 p.m. at the CCBOE
Sept. 7—Principals’ meeting, 8:30 a.m. at the CCBOE
Sept. 8—School Board meeting, 6:30 p.m. at WGS cafeteria
Sept. 9—West Side Harvest Festival
Sept. 10—Star Party at Motlow’s Moore Co. Campus
Sept. 13—New Teachers’ meeting, 3:15 p.m. at the CCBOE
Sept. 15—TSBA Fall District Meeting, Dekalb Co. High School
Sept. 19—Progress Reports #2
Sept. 23—Woodland Harvest Festival
                   PD Day #1, various schools
                   United Way’s Hometown Huddle Project for Woodland and West Side
 
Sept. 24—Short Mountain Harvest Festival
Sept. 30—CCHS Homecoming
Oct. 1—East Side Harvest Festival
Oct. 4—WGS Festival/Carnival
Oct. 7—Auburn Harvest Festival
Nov. 11—Veterans’ Day Program at CCHS

The Cannon County Lions burned through their timeouts in the third quarter leaving them with none when they needed them the most at the end of the game Friday night in a region contest against Grundy County.  The Lions started this game like they needed to, setting the pace with a score on their first offensive possession.  Cannon County used a 10 play four minute first quarter drive to put points on the board as Jaydon Coon capped off the 60 yard trek by scoring from two yards out, however the extra point attempt was blocked which would be another key to how this game turned out.  Lions defense held Grundy on a fourth and 2 at the Lions 40 on their first possession.  Second Grundy County possession the Jackets put together a scoring drive helped by a facemask penalty and a fourth down conversion.  The Yellowjackets extra point try was no good and the game was tied two minutes into the second quarter at 6 points each.  Each team’s defense held their own throughout the rest of the first half and most of the third quarter.  Cannon got the ball with 5:36 left to go in the third marched it all the way down to the Grundy four yard line with a third and goal situation with 7 seconds left.  Instead of letting the clock wind all the way down to 0 Cannon burned their last timeout of the game and on the next play Josh Walkup scored on a quarterback keeper to put the Lions ahead 12-6 as the two point extra conversion attempt failed.
Grundy County would answer on their next offensive possession running the ball 9 times over 61 yards in a close to four minute drive.  Their extra point attempt was good and Grundy grabbed the lead 13-12.  Cannon’s next offensive possession found themselves 4th and 9 after a penalty at the Grundy 42.  Instead of punting the football to give themselves excellent field position if their defense held, the Lions went for it and failed to get the first down.  Grundy got the ball on the 33 yard line and after a bad snap that went 18 yards the other way ended up punting the ball at the 20 for one last Lions opportunity.  With no timeouts left and the ball at the 41, the Lions threw two very short pass completions, one for a three yard loss.  The end came on third down when Walkup threw an interception.  Grundy then  took a knee on three consecutive plays to preserve the victory 13-12.  Cannon will now play Red Boiling Springs in Woodbury on Friday as they slip to 1-2 on the year 0-1 in region play

The Cannon County Girls High School Soccer Team led at half against district opponent Watertown in their game this past Thursday but Watertown scored three goals in the second half to end the game tied at 3 all.  Patricia Contreras had seven saves and gave up no goals in the first half, regular goalie Raquel Novoa entered the second half and had only five saves giving up all three goals in the game.  Tori Jones, Amanda Blanco and Ivy Vinson all scored for the Lionettes in the game. Blanco, Jones and Baily Knox each had an assist.  The Lionettes started off the year at Marshall County with a 4-0 loss.  Novoa had 12 saves in the game.  Lionettes two days later dropped a 2-1 loss to district opponent Goodpasture as Novoa had 13 saves in that game.  The only goal Cannon scored was by Tori Jones with Ivy Vinson assisting.
 

As your Member of Congress, I am committed to listening to your concerns and taking your voice to Washington. To that end, I sent out my 2016 Official U.S. Government Survey earlier this year. We received an overwhelming response – more than 14,000 of you took the time to share your thoughts with me! Thank you to everyone who responded; your answers help me focus on the issues that are most important to you and your family.
My staff and I have spent the last few months reading your responses and tallying the results. I wanted to share a few of the highlights with you below. You can also see a presentation of the results HERE.

• 83.9% of you believe that our country today is on the wrong track, while 11.3% of you said that our country was on the right track.

• 76.5% of you disapprove of the job that President Obama is doing as President, while 22.6% of you said that you approve of his job performance.

• 59% of you said that your healthcare costs have increased under Obamacare, while 4.5% of you said that your costs have decreased.

• 56.8% of you oppose executive action on gun control, while 43.1% of you support such measures.

• 77% of you believe that taxpayer dollars should never be used to pay for abortions, while 23% of you said that abortion providers deserve federal support.

• 84.4% of you oppose the recent nuclear agreement with Iran, while 15.6% of you support the deal.

• 82.7% of you agree with my vote last year prohibiting the federal government from coercing states into participation in Common Core standards, while 17.2% of you disagree with this decision.

I’m encouraged to know that we share so many of the same values. I always appreciate your input and I hope you will continue to keep in touch with my office. Serving you is my top priority!
                               

The tag with the little red barn arrived in September 1996 and became a popular symbol of Tennessee’s rural heritage and beautiful countryside for farmers and urban residents.
Today the tag provides much more than symbolic support. Proceeds from sales of the specialty plate go to the Tennessee Agricultural Development Fund. Administered by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, the fund directly benefits youth programs including 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA), as well as agriculturally focused projects and events. The Ag Tag is a bit different from many other specialty license plates in the state, with all proceeds devoted to agriculture.
Since its introduction, the Ag Tag fund has granted more than $5.4 million to Tennessee’s agricultural community, including a yearly contribution of $55,000 to FFA, 4-H and Ag in the Classroom. Those organizations spent the money in a variety of ways, helping to cover the costs of 4-H Congress, 4-H Round Up, professional development for high school agriculture teachers, farm tours for students, and community gardens. Money from the Ag Tag has also launched new programs to connect consumers with all types of farm-direct products through Community Supported Agriculture programs (CSAs), farmers markets and restaurants that source ingredients from local growers.
For just $35 added to your county tag registration fee, you can support farms and programs that help strengthen Tennessee’s rural economies and communities. Ask your county clerk to exchange your current license plate for Tennessee’s Ag Tag. Time remaining on any current registration will be credited to the new tag.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture supports producers and agribusinesses to build rural economies and increase farm income and industries. In 2015, nearly 11,000 Ag Tags were purchased, serving as small billboards to spread agriculture awareness.
Agriculture is one of the top industries in Tennessee, contributing more than $74.8 billion a year to the state’s economy and employing more than 349,000 citizens.
 

The Tennessee Department of Transportation will halt all lane closure activity on interstates and state highways for the Labor Day holiday travel period.  Construction crews stopped all lane closure activity until 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 6.  This will provide maximum roadway capacity for motorists traveling during the busy Labor Day holiday.

“We know that thousands of motorists will be traveling Tennessee’s roadways during the Labor Day holiday,” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer.  “We want them to get to their destinations safely, and without road construction delays.”

While lane closure activity will be stopped, workers will still be on site in many construction zones, and drivers are urged to obey posted speed limits.  Drivers convicted of speeding in work zones where workers are present face a fine of $250 to $500, plus court fees and possible increased insurance premiums.

From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest construction activity and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone for travel information, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel.

As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination.  Drivers should never tweet, text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

It’s early in the season but a pivotal game is on tap for tonight that could very well determine how the rest of the football year goes for the Cannon County Lions.  The Lions put together a great game plan in week 1 against Community School out of Unionville and with perfect execution the Lions came out on top 26-22.  However last week it was Jackson County that came prepared with a great game plan and perfect execution topping the Lions 37-6.  Tonight the Lions will try to get back on track as they will play Grundy County in each school’s first region matchup.  Grundy County is 0-2 and in the middle of a three game road trip.  The Jackets were soundly beaten last week 58-6 against Marion County.  Tonight’s Football Friday will begin at 5:30 with high school football guru Murphy Fair and Murphy’s Matchups followed by reports of high school football previews across Middle Tennessee with Friday Night Thunder starting at 6:00.  At 7:00 it will be kickoff time.  You can hear the game live on AM-1540/FM 107.1 WBRY and online at wbry.com.