News

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation unveiled two new resources on Wednesday to meet the needs of the state’s growing senior population. The first, TBI Find, is a mobile application, available now for both Apple and Android devices, to connect the public with up-to-the minute information about Silver Alerts issued in Tennessee. The app, more than two years in development, also provides key information to connect seniors and those who care for them with resources designed to support and educate.

“We believe this to be the first mobile app of its kind in the nation,” said Shelly Smitherman, TBI’s Assistant Special Agent in Charge overseeing the Bureau’s Missing Persons Unit. “TBI Find is a powerful tool, giving you instant alerts and vital resources, and it can also be a game changer for law enforcement in an emergency.”

A central part of the TBI Find app is its CareKit feature, which enables users to compile key information and pictures on loved ones, which can be compiled and emailed to law enforcement in the event of an emergency. Though designed for seniors, TBI recommends parents of children consider using the CareKit feature of the TBI Find app as well, as updated information and pictures can be hinderances in any missing persons emergency.

“Too many times we issue Silver, AMBER, or Endangered Child alerts with out-of-date pictures or incomplete or inaccurate details of the missing person,” Smitherman said. “This app empowers the public to prepare for an emergency – before it happens – which can definitely help us help them when it matters most.”

The second initiative TBI launched on Wednesday is its SafeSeniorTN campaign, available online at www.SafeSeniorTN.com. Combining the expertise of agents in its Medicaid Fraud Control Division and Cybercrime & Digital Evidence Unit, and supported by partner agencies and other stakeholders, SafeSeniorTN provides easy-to-understand guidance on a variety of technology, financial, and personal safety topics to prevent crimes impacting seniors. “We’re tired of seeing seniors being victimized, when common-sense advice could have saved both headache and heartache,” said Andy Corbitt, TBI’s Special Agent in Charge of its Medicaid Fraud Control Division in East Tennessee. “That’s why we’ve worked

Mark your calendars! The 19th annual Middle Tennessee Grain Conference is set for Tuesday, February 4th, from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM at the University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) in Tullahoma, TN.

For nearly 20 years, this conference has provided valuable insights and practical solutions for crop production challenges. Our Extension team, including local County Extension Agents and top-tier Extension Specialists, works year-round to deliver unbiased, research-based information at this event. Continuing the tradition, the MTNGC will feature one of the region’s largest trade shows, with almost 50 vendors and industry professionals showcasing both new innovations and reliable solutions.

Pre-registration cost is only $10 per person thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and the participation of our tradeshow vendors. These fees help offset the cost of program materials, equipment, signage, take-home resources, and conference hats (one per person). Doors open at 7:30am for networking and access to the trade show. Opening remarks start at 8:30am in the auditorium with updates from our partners at the TN Corn & TN Soybean Promotion Councils along with the announcement of Top Soybean Yield Contest Winners. The remaining sessions will all be held in the Auditorium covering topics on Weed Mgmt. & Dicamba Updates, Weather Forecasting, Grain Marketing & Risk Mgmt., and a talk from the Soybean World Record Holder (218 bu/acre). This year’s conference is made possible by several industry partners; of special note, the Tennessee Corn Promotion Council, Tennessee Soybean Promotion Council, GreenPoint Ag., Woodall Grain, Koch, and Farm Credit. The keynote speaker, Alex Harrell (Soybean Yield World Record Holder) is sponsored by Brandt. At adjournment, participants will turn in completed evaluations at the information booth to receive a conference hat and other take-home resources.

Available Credits/Points: Certified Crop Advisor, Commercial & Private Applicator, and Master Row Crop.

Contact Jared Franklin at jfrank57@utk.edu or 615-563-2554 to register!

Source: Jared Franklin, Cannon County ANR Agent

Cannon County Schools will open one hour late with driver and bus driver discretion on Friday, January 24, 2025.

 The director of Cannon County Schools, Ms. Bonnie Patterson, stated, “Cannon County Schools will be open one hour late with driver and bus driver’s discretion. This will allow our bus drivers to have better visibility of roadways. We will notify parents of students who will not have bus service due to icy conditions on a few roads. ANY student absent due to road conditions or lack of bus service will be excused.” Additionally, school staff will report on time, with all buildings being open by 7 a.m. for parent drop-off. Thank you for being patient with us during the impact of two winter weather events.”

Donny Green, County Executive Director of the DeKalb-Cannon County Farm Service Agency (FSA), says the 2024 DeKalb-Cannon FSA County Committee election results have been approved by the Tennessee FSA State Committee.

For Local Administrative Area (LAA) # 1, Jimmy Womack was elected to serve as Committee Member. Danny Pirtle was elected to serve as 1^st Alternate.

For Local Administrative Area (LAA) # 5, Clark Hollis was elected to serve as Committee Member. Brittany Duggin was elected to serve as 1^st Alternate.

Elected members began their terms on January 1, 2025.

Robert “Bob” Melton was honored for his service to the Farm Service Agency as a county committee member for 9 years of consecutive service. Mr. Melton’s contributions to the DeKalb and Cannon County agricultural community are unparalleled, and his influences and leadership will benefit many generations to come.

The DeKalb-Cannon FSA County Committee met on January 14, 2025 to conduct its Organizational Meeting. For 2025, the Committee selected Terry Young as the Chairperson, and Jimmy Womack as the Vice-Chairperson. Grant Williams, Bart Lay, and Clark Hollis will serve as members of the Committee. Mary Sanders serves as the Committee Advisor.

The Committee meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 8:30 a.m. at the DeKalb-Cannon County USDA Service Center located at 647 Bright Hill Rd.

Green says that the DeKalb-Cannon FSA County Committee and office staff wish to express their appreciation to voters in LAA # 1 and LAA # 5 who participated in the election by voting and returning their ballots. “The local County Committees are a very important part of Farm Service Agency’s program delivery and administrative processes,” added Green.

Cannon County Schools will now be CLOSED Wednesday, January 22nd.

AAA is bracing for extremely cold temperatures and the possibility for rain, ice, and snow to make travel more difficult for drivers this week.

“We’re urging motorists to follow the advice of local authorities and stay home if weather conditions begin to deteriorate,” said Megan Cooper, spokesperson for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “If you must get on the road, be sure to have at least a half tank of gas, significantly reduce your speed and stay off closed roads.”

AAA Safety Tips While on the Road

• If you must be on the road, check the weather before setting out and change plans accordingly.
• Pack a well-stocked emergency kit with a cell phone car charger, first-aid kit; extra blankets, hats, gloves and coats; plenty of drinking water and non-perishable snacks for passengers, including pets; flashlight and extra batteries; reflective warning triangles; and an ice scraper or snow brush.
• Always drive at a safe speed that matches the prevailing visibility, traffic and road conditions – even if that means driving below the posted speed limit.
• Compensate for reduced traction by increasing your following distances (normally three to four seconds) to eight to ten seconds.
• Allow sufficient room for maintenance vehicles by staying at least 200 feet back and, if you need to pass, go to the other vehicle’s left.
• Watch for icy surfaces on bridges and intersections, even if the rest of the road seems to be in good condition.
• Avoid braking on ice. If you’re approaching a patch of ice, brake during your approach. Control the skid. Applying pressure to your brakes while on ice will throw your car into a skid
• If you get stuck in snow or ice, straighten the wheel and accelerate slowly. Add sand or kitty litter under the drive wheels to help avoid spinning the tires.
• If your tires lose traction, continue to look and steer in the direction you want to go. If the drive wheels start to spin or slide while going up a hill, ease off the accelerator slightly and then gently resume speed.
• Slow Down, Move Over. Avoid driving on shoulders or medians so first responders, tow truck operators and emergency vehicles can get to stranded motorists who are in dangerous roadside conditions.

For more tips like these, visit How-To-Go-On-Ice-and-Snow.

Preparing Your Vehicle for the Winter Road

If driving cannot be avoided, motorists can help keep their vehicles stay safe on the road by checking the following:

• Remove all ice and snow from your vehicle – This includes the hood, roof, trunk, and all lights.
• Battery strength — Faulty batteries cause more car starting problems than any other factor. At 0 degrees, a good battery has 35 percent less starting power. Additionally, batteries that are 3-5 years old will have much less starting power in cold conditions.  
• Tire inflation — Under-inflated tires can be dangerous, and may suffer damage. Tire air pressure decreases 1-2 psi for every 10 degree temperature drop.
• Wiper blades — The blades should completely clear the glass with each swipe. Replace any blade that leaves streaks or misses spots.
• Washer fluid — Fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir with a winter cleaning solution that has antifreeze components to prevent it from freezing.

AAA’s Tips for Stranded Motorists on the Roadside

• Stay in the vehicle. Your car can provide shelter, allowing emergency responders to best locate you, and prevent you from being struck by an approaching vehicle. If you must get out of the car, ensure the surroundings are safe.
• To make the gas last longer, don’t leave the car running. If there is an extended traffic jam, turn off the engine for a period, then back on to reheat the inside, when it has gotten too cold again. Make sure the exhaust pipe is snow-free. 
• Avoid driving on the shoulders or medians of highways to get around the traffic jam. These need to be kept clear for first responders, tow trucks, and emergency vehicles to get to the cause of the stoppage.
• Cold weather can shorten the range of electric vehicles. EV drivers should plan for more frequent stops for charging and identify the location of charging stations before you hit the road. AAA recommends “pre-heating” the inside of your electric vehicle to a comfortable temperature while still connected to the charger. This will reduce the vehicle’s battery demand to regulate cabin temperature at the onset of driving.

Governor Bill Lee announced that he will call for the Tennessee General Assembly to convene a special session on Monday, January 27, to pass the Education Freedom Act. Additionally, the Governor will introduce a disaster relief legislative package addressing recovery needs for Hurricane Helene, as well as future natural disasters. The session will also address public safety measures regarding illegal immigration, as the incoming Trump Administration has called on states to prepare for policy implementation.

Gov. Lee will issue an official call and provide additional details in the coming days.

Joint statement from Gov. Lee, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, House Speaker Cameron Sexton, Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, and House Majority Leader William Lamberth:

“We believe the state has a responsibility to act quickly on issues that matter most to Tennesseans, and there is widespread support in the General Assembly and across Tennessee for a special session on the most pressing legislative priorities: the unified Education Freedom Act and a comprehensive relief package for Hurricane Helene and other disaster recovery efforts. The majority of Tennesseans, regardless of political affiliation, have made it clear that they support empowering parents with school choice, and the best thing we can do for Tennessee students is deliver choices and public school resources without delay. Additionally, Hurricane Helene was an unprecedented disaster across rural, at-risk, and distressed communities that cannot shoulder the local cost share of federal relief funds on their own. The state has an opportunity and obligation to partner with these impacted counties and develop innovative solutions for natural disasters going forward. Finally, the American people elected President Trump with a mandate to enforce immigration laws and protect our communities, and Tennessee must have the resources ready to support the Administration on Day One.”

Education Freedom Act

Gov. Lee and legislative leadership introduced the unified Education Freedom Act (SB1/HB1) on November 6, 2024 with the recognition that every Tennessee child deserves to attend the school that best fits their unique needs, regardless of income or zip code. 

In addition to establishing Education Freedom Scholarships, the Act further invests in public schools and teachers by delivering teacher bonuses to recognize their unwavering commitment to student success, increasing K-12 facilities funding, and ensuring state funding to school districts will never decrease due to disenrollment. Gov. Lee and the General Assembly will maintain their commitment to public schools by further investing hundreds of millions of state dollars in the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) formula, and raising starting teacher pay.

Learn more at TNEducationFreedom.com.

Hurricane Helene + Disaster Relief

Hurricane Helene was an unprecedented disaster that primarily impacted at-risk and distressed counties, with eligible damage-related costs estimated at $1.2 billion. Gov. Lee proposes immediate legislative and budgetary action to support ongoing recovery efforts and allow for proactive preparation for future emergencies. The comprehensive plan invests more than $450 million in direct disaster relief. Key components of the plan include:

·        Disaster Relief Grants (DRG) Fund: $240 millionto bolster Tennessee’s existing disaster relief fund, as well as reduce the local cost-share burden from 12.5% to 5% and fund the state match requirement in order to access federal funds and cover administrative costs.

·        Hurricane Helene Interest Payment Fund: $110 millionto establish a new fund that will help local governments manage loan interest for recovery costs by covering interest costs at 5% per year for three years on loans for recovery expenses.

·        Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund: $100 millionto create a new program inspired by the HEAL Program that will provide flexible financial resources for future emergencies, including agricultural recovery, unemployment assistance, and business recovery efforts.

·        $20 million for the rebuilding of Hampton High School in Carter County, which was destroyed in Hurricane Helene.

Public Safety + Immigration

The Tennessee General Assembly will consider public safety measures related to illegal immigration to ensure the state is prepared for federal policy implementation. 

Last year, Gov. Lee directed key state agencies to begin making preparations and stand ready on Day One of the Trump Administration to support efforts to secure our Nation’s borders and keep communities safe.

Do you have cattle, sheep, goats, or equine animals?  If so, you could be eligible to receive payment from the DeKalb/Cannon County Farm Service Agency. According to Donny Green, County Executive Director, signup for the Livestock Forage Program will end January 30, 2025.    

The Livestock Forage Assistance Program (LFP) was approved on September 24, 2024 for DeKalb and Cannon countiesdue to recent and extreme drought conditions that have affected livestock grazing during the 2024 normal grazing period.  LFP provides compensation to eligible livestock producers that have suffered grazing losses for covered livestock on land with permanent vegetative cover or planted specifically for grazing. 

Since the LFP signup began in October 2024, just over 400 livestock producers in DeKalb and Cannon counties have been approved and received $887,909.

If you are a livestock producer and have not filed your LFP application since the signup period began in early October, please visit the FSA office in Smithville to file your application before the January 30, 2025 deadline. There are no approval provisions for late filed LFP applications.

For more information, call the office at 615-597-8225, Ext. 2, or come by the Smithville USDA Service Center located at 647 Bright Hill Rd., Smithville, Tennessee. The Farm Service Agency’s office hours are 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

State Rep. Michael Hale, Smithville, has proposed legislation ensuring certified campus police and public safety officers receive supplemental annual training pay, similar to bonuses already granted to law enforcement each year.

Police, campus police and public safety officers all complete the Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) commission certification training and meet identical requirements under current law, (TCA § 38-8-107(d)). 

 “These men and women are protecting our most valuable asset—our children,” Hale said. 

House Bill 0008 would provide an $800 annual training pay supplement.

To qualify, eligible officers must complete the same annual in-service training as public police officers.

The P.O.S.T. Commission, the state agency responsible for employment standards and training for law enforcement agencies,  would allocate funds  to the appropriate institutions, boards and schools, ensuring the bonuses are paid to campus and public safety officers.

“By providing this supplemental pay, we can help these departments offer compensation that aligns with other law enforcement agencies, making it easier to recruit new officers,” Hale said. “This is the right thing to do for these officers and our colleges across the state.”

The 114th General Assembly convenes at noon on Jan. 14. 

State Rep. Michael Hale represents House District 40, which includes Cannon, Dekalb, Jackson, Smith and part of Wilson Counties.  

Cannon County Schools will be closed on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, due to continued hazardous driving conditions on several roads. A decision concerning the CCHS home game with Community will be made by noon on Tuesday, January 14th.

Director of Cannon County Schools, Ms. Bonnie Patterson, stated, “Cannon County Schools will be CLOSED on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, due to continued hazardous conditions on many of our county roads. This will be our 5 th inclement weather day.”