2016

The American Red Cross urges blood donors to give in the final weeks of summer to help overcome a critical summer blood shortage.
 
The summer months are among the most challenging times of years to collect enough blood and platelet donations to meet patient needs. Many regular donors delay giving while they take vacation and participate in summer activities. The need for blood doesn’t take a summer break though.
 
Two summers ago, Kelly Griswold was involved in a life-threatening jet-ski accident while vacationing. She was airlifted to a hospital and underwent three surgeries over the course of two days. Griswold, a blood donor prior to the accident, suddenly knew what it was like to be on the receiving end of blood donations. “Without the support of people that can give blood, the ones who have needed it would not be here today – myself included.”
 
Donors of all blood types are urgently needed to give now to help ensure blood is available for patients in need. Those who donated blood earlier this summer may be eligible to donate again. Blood can be safely donated every 56 days, and double red cells can be donated every 112 days. In appreciation for helping to save lives, those who come to donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross now through Aug. 31 will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card claim code.
 
Schedule an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). To help reduce wait times, donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass.
 
Upcoming blood donation opportunities
Elite Physical Therapy, 1116 N. Main St., Shelbyville, TN 37160
8/18/2016: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
 
Sampson Free Will Baptist Church, 29004 state Route 30, Pikeville, TN 37367
8/15/2016: 3 – 7 p.m.
 
First Baptist Church, 1006 Hillsboro Road, Manchester, TN 37355
8/18/2016: 2 – 6 p.m.
 
Winchester Church of Christ, 1230 S. College St., Winchester, TN 37398
8/26/2016: 1 – 7 p.m.
 
Winchester Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 200 Second Ave. NW, Winchester, TN 37398
8/28/2016: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
 
Caney Fork Electric, 920 Smithville Highway, McMinnville, TN 37110
8/30/2016: 2 – 6 p.m.
 
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
 
Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
 
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
 
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The Tennessee Highway Patrol is accepting applications for the 2016 Fall Citizens’ Trooper Academy. Classes in Nashville start September 20th at The Tennessee Highway Patrol Training Center, with Knoxville classes starting on September 22nd at the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Knoxville District Headquarters. Sessions will run from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. weekly.
The academy, which consists of approximately 30 hours of training, runs 10 weeks. It is designed to give citizens a better understanding and awareness of THP and the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Citizens receive hands-on instruction and training from state troopers and other department personnel. Topics covered include: investigations, special operations, homeland security, and many other areas of the patrol, as well as driver license and handgun permit issuance.
Participants must be at least 21-years-old, available to attend weekly three-hour sessions with no more than one absence, sign required waivers and agreements, and have no criminal history.
Applications are available at www.TN.Gov/safety or may be requested by sending an email to email.safety@tn.gov.
The deadline to register is August 19th, 2016. Applications must be returned by that date for processing.
For more information, contact Sergeant Bill Fitzgerald at 615-743-3907 or Colleen Curtis at 615-500-0420; Colleen.Curtis@me.com.
 

The state veterinarian’s office is investigating an outbreak of Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) in a group of racing Quarter Horses in Tennessee.
 
EP is a blood parasite that affects equines. Although it can be transmitted through infected ticks, today it is more commonly spread by blood and blood products through the sharing of needles, syringes or improperly cleaned and disinfected dental, tattoo, surgical or blood product equipment between infected and uninfected horses.
 
Seventeen horses have tested positive for EP in Middle Tennessee. All are connected to the same location in Rutherford County. The investigation is ongoing.
 
It may take as long as 30 days for an infected horse to test positive for the disease after exposure. Early clinical signs can range from weakness and lack of appetite to swelling of limbs and labored breathing. Horses that survive the acute phase continue to carry the parasite for an extended period of time. Horses that test positive for the disease are quarantined and may be euthanized. 
 
Horses will not transmit the disease to other horses through casual contact. However, it is critical that horse handlers practice good biosecurity. If a needle is required, use a new sterile needle and syringe on every horse and clean and disinfect all equine equipment that may be contaminated with blood. 
 
Some states and equine competitions require EP testing for entrance. If you plan to travel with your horse, check with the receiving state for current import requirements.
 
The state veterinarian is responsible for monitoring for and preventing the spread of animal disease, as well as promoting animal health in Tennessee. The office works with private veterinarians, animal pathologists and disease diagnostic laboratories to identify diseases and determine the cause of animal deaths.
 

The Cannon County Health Department is observing this week as National Health Center Week.  The goal of the observance is to raise awareness of Health Departments in each County in Tennessee.  The Cannon County Health Department invites the public to their open house today 301 West Main Street Suite 200 from 1-3 to meet the staff of the Health Department, as well as tour the Health Department and enjoy some refreshments.  For more information please call the Cannon County Health Department at 615-563-4243.
 

The Arts Center of Cannon County kicks off their production of the Hair Band era based musical Rock Of Ages tonight.  It’s the tail end of the big, bad 1980s in Hollywood, and the party has been raging hard. Aqua Net, Lycra, lace and more freely at one of the Sunset Strips last legendary venues, a place where Stacee Jaxx takes the stage and shows concert goers Nothin but a good time Amidst the madness, aspiring rock star and venue janitor Drew longs to take the stage as the next big thing (and longs for small-town girl Sherri, fresh off the bus from Kansas with stars in her eyes). But the rock and roll fairy-tale is about to end when German developers sweep into town with plans to turn the fabled Strip into just another capitalist strip mall. Can Drew, Sherri and the gang save the strip–and themselves–before it’s too late? Only the music of hit bands Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake and more hold the answer.  Performances of Rock Of Ages run August 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27 at 7:30pm
and August 14 & 21 at 2:00pm.  For more information call the box office at 615-563-2787 or check out the website at artscenterofcc.com.

Cannon County High School Football is one week away from their season opener.  Tonight will be the final tuneup before they open the season next week at home against Community School of Unionville.  The Lions will participate in a preseason Jamboree tonight traveling to Hartsville to Trousdale County.  Cannon County is expected to take the field to scrimmage Clay County around 7 this evening.

During the summer months, many teachers spend their time becoming better at their craft by attending professional development programs across the state.  Maxine Dawson, a teacher at Cannon County High School, participated in the Tennessee Tech 2016 Improving Teacher Quality Program which focused on using technology in STEM classrooms.   “Experiencing STEM: Demystifying the Practical Classroom Application of Immersive Technology” is funded through a grant, which focuses on secondary teachers who are interested in learning more about how to create 3D models in Google SketchUp, and then view and interact with them in the Oculus Rift virtual headset. Because of her participation, Cannon County High School will have the opportunity to be one of the first schools in Tennessee to utilize the latest virtual reality technology. The grant provides close to $4,000 worth of cutting-edge technology to use in the school to help students see and experience education like never before. Not only will students have early access to this technology, they will be building skills that are necessary for future careers in 3D modeling and virtual reality.  Congratulations to Mrs. Dawson for bringing this wonderful program to our students.
 

Approving the dress code for the school district is on the agenda for the Cannon County Board Of Education as they meet tonight during their regular monthly meeting.  On the agenda also will be to look at 5 different pupil transfer requests as well as a request from a family for their daughter to attend college full time.  
The Board will also be called on to approve the athletic trainer service agreement and Coach Marc Larson will address the board about being involved in research on injury prone athletes.  The meeting starts tonight at 6:30 at the Woodbury Grammar School Cafeteria.
 

A Woodbury Man was arrested recently after he stole a car from a woman when he physically forced her from the vehicle.  According to Woodbury Police Department reports, Kenneth Ray Mooneyham Sr. was arrested for attempted carjacking and criminal impersonation.  Mooneyham tried to take the car from the possession of the woman but failed in his attempt.  After Woodbury Police arrived on the scene, Mooneyham gave them a false name.  Mooneyham will be answering to the charges in Cannon County General Sessions Court Tuesday September 13th.
Other arrests and citations given by the Woodbury Police Department include
Rhonda Denise McPeak-Driving While License Revoked
Bobby D. Sanders Evading Arrest  Sanders was also served a Violation of probation warrant in the booking room of the Cannon County Jail.

Congressman Diane Black has announced a series of town hall meetings that will be held throughout Tennessee’s 6th Congressional district during the week of August 8th – 12th.  Although she will not be stopping in Cannon County
She will conduct however a Town Hall meeting in Smithville in the first floor courtroom of the courthouse on Thursday, August 11 at 5:00 p.m.
I believe Tennesseans deserve a representative in Congress who is accountable to them and who listens to their concerns. In that spirit, I will be holding public town hall meetings across our region next week,” said Congressman Diane Black. “At each event, I’ll provide an update on the top issues I hear about from constituents, then we’ll give attendees an opportunity to ask me their questions directly. I’m looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new faces as I travel our district to hear from the people I serve.”