2016

A Woodbury man who made an improper left turn was pulled over and arrested for several violations in Murfreesboro including possession of drugs.  According to Murfreesboro Police Reports, Police pulled over 24 year old Richard Lee Sloan of Woodbury after he made an improper left turn on Middle Tennessee Blvd. Sloan acted nervous and admitted he had marijuana and stated there was a gun in the driver’s side door panel.  Sloan also stated that he was a convicted felon.  After securing the gun, Mr. Sloan was removed from the car and police conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle.  Several bags of marijuana were found and also several bags each containing a white crystal substance in which Sloan admitted it was meth.  Sloan was arrested and charged with possession of firearm by a felon, Manufacture, and sale of Schedule 2 Drugs, Simple possession of schedule 6 and 4 drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, Alteration of a serial number.  Driving on suspended 2nd offense and a warrant check revealed there was an outstanding warrant for Sloan in Bedford County.  Sloan will answer to the charges November 17th in Rutherford County General Sessions Court.

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, visitingredcrossblood.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.
 

The Cannon County Schools looking to make up some of the money they lost due to an appropriation cut on the Property Tax Revenue of the Cannon County Budget approached the Commission Thursday night during their regular monthly meeting and asked relief of a portion of the annual in kind payment the Schools make to the County Debt Service Fund.  During the passing of the 2016-2017 fiscal year budget the Cannon County Schools portion of the property tax rate was decreased three cents.  Each penny brings in around $20,000 of revenue to Cannon County.  The Board of Education would not accept that cut and as a result would not pass their overall budget.  Thursday night at the Commission meeting, Director of Schools approached the commissioners and asked if the Schools could work out a new agreement as they make a payment toward school debt to help pay off the loan note.  The agreement was for the schools to pay $250,000 toward the school debt until the loan was paid completely off.  The loan is expected to be paid in full in 2026 but should be paid a lot sooner due to the schools making the big payment along with the revenue coming in from the Wheel Tax Sticker.  In order to recuperate the 3 cents or roughly $60,000 they lost when their portion of the property tax rate was decreased Ms. Parker wanted to make it up by dropping the payment of $250,000 down to $190,000.  The motion was made and passed by an 8-2 vote with the commissioners James Holloway and Glenn Steakley voting against the measure.
 

Getting a college education for working adults just got easier at Motlow State Community College, thanks to the Adult College Express (ACE) program now being offered online.
Through the ACE online program, college courses can be completed in an accelerated five-week format, with students only needing to hit a weekly deadline.
Credibility is at the forefront of reasons why students are attracted to the Motlow ACE program, in that all online classes are taught by full-time Motlow faculty with experience in web course design and online instruction. Motlow does not contract out ACE online courses.
For more information about classes offered and questions concerning the ACE program, contact Dayron Deaton-Owens at ddeaton@mscc.edu or call 931-668-7010 ext. 2126.
 Getting a college education for working adults just got easier at Motlow State Community College, thanks to the Adult College Express (ACE) program now being offered online.

“I am so excited to announce that the Motlow ACE program is offered online,” said Dayron Deaton-Owens, coordinator of ACE and assistant professor of sociology and psychology at Motlow. “Three words sum up why (adult) students should choose the ACE program: flexibility, credibility and interactivity!”

According to Deaton-Owens, the ACE online program offers all the benefits of the traditional ACE program, a program designed to give a “fast-track” degree completion plan for busy adults and working parents. Additionally, the online ACE program allows the adult learner the convenience of learning on their own schedule.

Through the ACE online program, college courses can be completed in an accelerated five-week format, with students only needing to hit a weekly deadline.

Credibility is at the forefront of reasons why students are attracted to the Motlow ACE program, in that all online classes are taught by full-time Motlow faculty with experience in web course design and online instruction. Motlow does not contract out ACE online courses.

Deaton-Owens added, “A Motlow online ACE class is more than a mere digital correspondence course. The days of an isolated online experience are past. Motlow online ACE students participate in digital discussions, receive video and audio course content, and receive prompt feedback from their ACE professors.

“Motlow online courses boast an average student-to-teacher ratio of six to one, where,” added Deaton-Owens, “You won’t be another digital face in the crowd!”

The requirements for ACE are:

    Complete a Motlow Application at mscc.edu
    Submit official high school transcript or GED score
    Submit official college transcript, if applicable
    Take the COMPASS test, if required, unless previous collegiate-level work
    Attend New Student orientation
    Complete an ACE application at mscc.edu
    Submit Hepatitis B form
    Show proof of citizenship (EVEA form)
    Provide proof of immunization

For more information about classes offered and questions concerning the ACE program, contact Dayron Deaton-Owens at ddeaton@mscc.edu or call 931-668-7010 ext. 2126.

The Tennessee Department of Health confirms there have been 24 persons diagnosed with Zika virus disease in Tennessee this year. Cases of locally transmitted Zika virus have been identified in a small area in  Miami, Florida, but all cases in Tennessee have occurred in people returning from international travel to affected areas. This serves as a reminder that anyone traveling to affected areas should be very careful to avoid mosquito  bites during travel and for three weeks after travel. Pregnant women should avoid non-essential travel to affected areas.

 To prevent the virus from being spread by mosquitos in Tennessee, TDH officials are reminding residents of the increased need for local tactics to “Fight the Bite.”.

 Eliminating standing water where mosquitos can lay eggs and protecting ourselves from their bites by using insect repellants are two of the easiest and most effective ways to‘Fight The Bite’ to prevent Zika  from spreading in our  state,” said TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH.  “As we see steadily increasing numbers of imported cases of Zika in Tennessee, there’s a heightened need for all of us to prevent this illness from being spread locally  by mosquitos.”

Abelardo Moncayo, Ph.D, director of the TDH Vector-Borne Disease program, reminds residents mosquitos can lay eggs in water containers as small as a soda bottle lid and that most mosquitos only travel a few hundred yards from where they are hatched.

“By eliminating mosquito breeding spots close to home, residents are protecting themselves and their neighbors from Zika and other illnesses spread by mosquitos,” Moncayo said.  “Equally important is to use insect repellants.”

TDH recommends using repellants containing DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 on skin and wearing clothing treated with Permethrin; all are safe by pregnant women when users follow label recommendations. Never apply the repellants around the mouth or eyes and Permethrin is generally not be used directly on skin. Permethrin-treated clothing repels mosquitoes and retains this effect after repeated washing. Some clothing products are available pretreated with permethrin.

It’s good to remember “long, loose and light” when choosing outdoor clothing. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants are best, and consider, tucking your pants into your socks and your shirt into your pants. Loose-fitting clothing helps prevent bites through the fabric. Light-colored clothes are less attractive to many insects and may allow you to spot them more easily.

To learn more about ways to protect yourself and your community from mosquito bites and mosquito-borne diseases, visit:

http://www.cdc.gov/zika/prevention/prevent-mosquito-bites.html

“Whenever there is an imported case of Zika virus disease in Tennessee, we immediately launch efforts to prevent the spread of illness to others,” said TDH State Epidemiologist Tim Jones, MD.  “We work to strengthen personal protection to prevent mosquito bites.  We do outreach in the community, encouraging residents to protect themselves from bites and to eliminate mosquito breeding spots in their area.  ”

The greatest risk of harm from Zika virus disease appears to be when a pregnant woman becomes infected, especially in the first trimester. Her child may be born with serious health complications, including microcephaly (a small malformed brain developing in the womb).  To date, Tennessee has not recorded a baby born with microcephaly attributed to Zika virus disease.

At present there is no vaccine to prevent Zika virus disease and no medicines to treat it. TDH recommends all residents use “Fight the Bite” tactics where they live, work and play, and for travelers to be aware of other areas where the disease is now being transmitted locally by mosquitos. Zika can also be spread sexually, so people should take precautions to prevent infection from a partner. To learn more about ongoing efforts to prevent the Zika virus disease in Tennessee, visit: http://tn.gov/health/topic/zika-virus

Education Commissioner Candice McQueen unveiled last week a roster of education leaders and advocates to serve on the Dyslexia Advisory Council, a group designed to explore ways to screen students for characteristics of dyslexia and identify resources for teachers to support students with the characteristics of dyslexia.

“All students deserve the opportunity to succeed and receive the supports necessary to do so, regardless of learning differences,” McQueen said. “This group of education leaders and advocates will bring insight and expertise as we discuss concrete ways we can strengthen our screening processes and interventions for students with dyslexia, ultimately preparing more students to be ready for the next step in their academic journeys.”

The advisory council encompasses a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including educators, parents, and advocacy leaders with expertise in dyslexia from across the state. The group will meet quarterly beginning in fall 2016.

The advisory council was established as part of the Say Dyslexia bill, which was sponsored by Sen. Dolores Gresham, R-Somerville, and Rep. Joe Pitts, D-Clarksville, and was approved by the Tennessee General Assembly during the 2016 legislative session. In addition to establishing the Dyslexia Advisory Council, the law also requires all students to be screened for the characteristics of dyslexia and provide appropriate interventions for students who are identified as having those characteristics.

“It is important to ensure we have the tools in place that give every child a chance to be successful,” said Gresham.

“The Say Dyslexia legislation enacted this session is a giant leap forward in helping Tennessee students with characteristics of dyslexia,” Pitts said. “The advisory council is a central part of the act, and these citizens have an opportunity to help lead our state’s efforts to help these students live up to their God-given potential. Thank you to the hundreds of parents, educators, and the department of education for their invaluable input and leadership in making this act a reality.”

The advisory council will include the following members:

    Theresa Nicholls, Director of School Psychology Services, Tennessee Department of Education
    Eileen Miller, Advocate, Decoding Dyslexia Tennessee
    Allison McAvoy, Special Education Teacher, Hamilton County Department of Education
    Melissa Miller-Benson, Elementary School Teacher, The Bodine School
    Mercedes Chartrand, Middle School Teacher, Clarksville-Montgomery County School System
    Briana Patrick, High School Teacher, Lauderdale County Schools
    Anna Thorsen, Parent
    Morgan Ashworth, Speech Language Pathologist, Loudon County School District

The council also includes three ex-officio members with expertise in dyslexia: Emily Dempster with the International Dyslexia Association; Erin Alexander, a school psychologist and assistant director for clinical services at the Tennessee Center for Dyslexia; and Susan Porter, a district lead coach of instruction with Metro Nashville Public Schools.

The council will submit a report to the General Assembly annually with their findings and associated recommendations as they continue to review and monitor dyslexia screening and intervention practices across the state.

For more information about the Dyslexia Advisory Council, contact Theresa Nicholls at (615) 741-0572 or Theresa.Nicholls@tn.gov. For media inquiries, contact Sara Gast at (615) 532-6260 or Sara.Gast@tn.gov

Cannon County may be looking at replacing Cannon County Emergency Management Agency Director Faye Morse in the near future.  The State of Tennessee as well as local officials have complained numerous times about the inability to not be able to reach Morse about several matters. The Cannon County Commission met Thursday and discussed the situation.  One of the matters is that Director Morse continues to keep Emergency equipment at her private residence which causes an inconvenience as well as other concerns should the County need to use the equipment.  Most of the equipment in question was awarded to Cannon County by Homeland Security Grants.  There is no inventory however on record as to what all equipment Director Morse has but it is known that there is a vehicle, along with some radios and some other heavy equipment that is on the private property and needs to be returned to Cannon County so that it can be stored on secure County property for all emergency responders to use in case of an emergency.  One of the trucks is also to be shared in three different counties in the area as it was awarded to Cannon County to maintain in a three county district.
The motion was made and passed to send a letter by registered mail and also by regular mail directing Morse to return all equipment to be stored at the 9-1-1 Center by the next Cannon County Commission meeting.  At that point Morse’s status as Emergency Management Director for Cannon County could be decided.

The Cannon County Industrial Development Board will meet Monday night at 6:00 at the Cannon County Arts Center.  The public is encouraged and invited to attend.

The Cannon County Health Department will join celebrations of National Health Center Week Aug. 7- 13. The goal of this observance is to raise awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s health centers over the course of more than five decades. The theme for NHCW 2016 is Celebrating America’s Health Centers: Innovators in Community Health.
The Upper Cumberland Primary Care Project provides services for more than 25,000 people in Cannon County and across the Upper Cumberland Region annually and has been successful in:
· Reducing unnecessary hospitalizations and unnecessary visits to the emergency room
· Maintaining patient satisfaction levels of nearly 100 percent
· Reducing infant mortality rates

“For almost 30 years, community health centers in the Upper Cumberland have improved access to care,” said Cannon County Health Director, Andrea Fox. “Our health centers provide full service adult and pediatric primary care as well as preventive health services to anyone with private insurance, TennCare or Medicare, as well as those without insurance.
To learn more about the services of your local community health center, please call (615) 563-4243
To recognize this week as National Health Center Week, the Cannon County Health Department will host an open house Friday August 12th from 1-3 at 301 West Main Street Suite 200 in Woodbury

A Woodbury Man was arrested recently after he ran his vehicle into a building on McMinnville Hwy.  According to Woodbury Police reports, Ricardo Antonio Demling was arrested after he left the scene of an accident after causing property damage.  Police caught up to Demling and determined that Demling was under the influence of some type of an intoxicant. Demling was arrested for DUI, Leaving the Scene of an accident and driving while license revoked or suspended.  Other arrests made recently by the Woodbury Police Department include
Tamra J. Mears-Possession of Schedule 2 drugs cocaine and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia
Jason Wayne Arnold-Possession of Schedule 2 and Possession of schedule 2 with the intent to deliver or sell a controlled substance that being of Oxycodone.
Nathan L. Scott-Unlawful carrying or possession of a Firearm
And Richard Dewayne Hodge the 2nd-Theft of property under $500.