News 2011

Shawnacey Elise Prater, a resident of Cannon County, achieved honor roll status at Motlow State Community College for the Summer of 2011 full-time
students, who maintain a current grade-point average (GPA) of 3.5 or
higher, based solely on collegiate-level work, are included on the dean’s
list at Motlow College. To qualify for the honor roll, students must be
full-time and have a current GPA of 3.0 to 3.49 on their collegiate-level
work.

The CCHS Basketball boosters is sponsoring their annual golf scramble on Sat Sept. 24th, 2011. It will be held at Willowbrook Golf Course in Manchester. Cost is $300 per team or $75 per player. A meal will be provided and team prizes as well as door prizes will be awarded. It will be an 8:00 a.m. start. If you are interested in playing or would like to sponsor a hole, please contact Suzette Sissom at 615-849-2444. Forms/Payment can be mailed or brought the day of the scramble.

 The TennCare Standard Spend Down program will again offer open enrollment opportunities to new applicants on Monday, Sept. 12, 2011 beginning at 6 p.m. CST.  Standard Spend Down is available through a waiver to the Medicaid program for a limited number of qualified low income individuals, or those with high, unpaid medical bills who are aged, blind, disabled, or the caretaker relative of a Medicaid eligible child. Eligible individuals must have enough unpaid medical bills to meet the “spend down” threshold to qualify for coverage.
 “We are pleased to again work in this collaborative effort with several entities including TennCare, the Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS), the Tennessee Hospital Association, advocacy groups and the federal government in offering Standard Spend Down,” said DHS Commissioner Raquel Hatter. “This program offers additional assistance to qualified low-income individuals or those with very high medical bills who are not already on TennCare.” 
 A special call-in phone line through DHS has been set up for interested applicants. The only way to request an application is by calling the toll-free number — 1-866-358-3230 — which will be open between 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. CST on Sept.12.  The phone lines will be open from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on subsequent weekdays until 2,500 interested applicants call in. 
 Prospective applicants are encouraged to check eligibility qualifications before calling in. More information on the Standard Spend Down program and more detailed eligibility criteria are available on TennCare’s website: www.tn.gov/TennCare.
 The toll-free number system is used to ensure equal access to Tennessee citizens interested in this program. After the first 2,500 calls are taken, the phone lines will be closed. The Tennessee Department of Human Services will send applications to all callers who are not already on TennCare and will review their eligibility for any open Medicaid categories and the newly opened Standard Spend Down category.  Advanced notifications will be made to the public and other stakeholders prior to subsequent openings of the application request line.
 Legislation called for the “expansion of the Standard Spend Down category for TennCare enrollment up to a maximum of seven thousand (7,000) individuals in FY 2010-2011.” The program will continue to open and close on a rolling basis. 
 
 The Standard Spend Down category first opened to applicants on Oct. 4, 2010.  It was opened a second time on Feb. 22, 2011.  The 2,500 call limit was reached in approximately one hour during both enrollment periods.
 Standard Spend Down Eligibility:

In addition to being aged (65 or older), blind*, disabled,* or a caretaker relative,

An individual must meet certain income restrictions, or be able to “spend down” qualifying unpaid medical bills to that limit. (*To be considered blind or disabled, an individual must meet standards set by the Social Security Administration.)
 
 Applicants also must not have resources that:·         Exceed $2,000 for a family of one and $3,000 for a family of two with an additional $100 added per additional individual in the family.·         A person’s unpaid medical bill must have been accrued within the past 90 days.  Medical bills paid by the applicant within the past 30 days may count towards meeting an applicant’s spend down requirement.
 Pregnant women and children still are eligible for the Medically Needy Spend Down program which has never closed and does not have an enrollment cap.
 The ONLY way to request an application for the TennCare Standard Spend Down Program is through the toll free number (1-866-358-3230). Those wishing to apply for other TennCare categories should contact their local Department of Human Services county office, call the Family Assistance Service Center at 1-866-311-4287 during normal business hours, or visit www.tennessee.gov/humanserv/.

The Cannon County High School Volleyball team will host a set of matches tonight at Robert A Harris Gym.  The Lionettes are coming off a loss to
Smith County in District Action Thursday but they are welcoming Middle
Tennessee Christian School and Gordonsville to Woodbury.  Games start at
5:00

The American Legion Posts 279 announces a E-Board Meeting at 4:45 on Thursday.  The evening meal is prepared by the ladies of the auxillary and
served at 5:45 with the American Legion Post #279 monthly meeting
following at 6:30 at the Cannon Senior Center

Since 1948 The Woodbury Lions Club has been hosting American Red Cross blood drives.  From one or two drives each year then three and in 2001 the
Lions Club hosted six blood drives each year.  Individuals can donate
blood six times in a year or every 56 days.  The regular scheduled blood
drive is set for this Thursday from 12 p.m. till 6 p.m.  The Lions Club
also wished to announce a pancake breakfast this coming Saturday from
7A-10A Price is $6 for all you can eat pancakes and sausage.

A new market leadership team has been announced following the affiliation this summer of DeKalb Community Hospital (DCH) and Stones River Hospital (SRH) with Capella Healthcare. The new partnership united the two hospitals with Capella’s White County Community Hospital (WCCH) to form a new regional entity designed to broaden care in the Upper Cumberland Plateau. Bill Little, who has served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for DCH and SRH since July 2009, has been promoted to Market CEO with responsibility for all three hospitals.  Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Sarah Clark has moved up to Market CFO for the new entity and Eric Phillips, formerly Chief Nursing Officer for DCH, has been promoted to Market Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Each of the three hospitals has a Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), with Karen Hickey at Stones River Hospital, Robin Byler at White County Community Hospital, and Rick Gillentine joining DeKalb Community Hospital this month.
Bill Little, a native of Smithville, served as Chief Operating Officer at Cookeville Regional Medical Center prior to joining DCH and SRH.  Before that, he spent five years serving as Vice President of Financial Operations at Vanguard Health Systems in Arizona. While there, he also served as the Chief Financial Officer for Arrowhead Hospital and Medical Center in Glendale, AZ.  Little obtained his B.S. degree in Business Administration from Tennessee Technological University.
Sarah Clark also worked at Cookeville Regional Medical Center prior to joining DCH and SRH, serving as Director of CRMC’s MSO, where she directed operations for all of their employed physicians.  Prior to that she was a principal in an accounting firm providing consulting and accounting services to physicians and other small businesses.  She spent ten years with HCA working at the corporate office and in two facilities, Smyrna Medical Center and Livingston Regional Hospital.  A Certified Public Accountant, Clark earned her B.S. degree in Accounting from Tennessee Technological University.
Prior to his promotion to Market COO, Eric Phillips served as CNO for DCH since 2009.  Before that, he held nursing supervisor positions at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, University Medical Center (Lebanon) and Centennial Medical Center (Nashville).  Phillips began his career in healthcare as a paramedic.  He earned a bachelor’s degree in emergency management from Western Carolina University and a law degree from the Nashville School of Law. A decorated veteran, Phillips served with the U.S. Navy for four years in Sea Air Search and Rescue (Waterborne Rescue Operations), earning numerous awards.
Rick Gillentine, RN, joined DCH on September 1 as Chief Nursing Officer.  He previously worked for StoneCrest Medical Center in Smyrna for seven years in a variety of positions, including Community Navigator, Disaster Preparedness Coordinator, and Assistant Director of Emergency Services.  Gillentine also worked in nursing at Centennial Medical Center and Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville as well as River Park Hospital in McMinnville. He earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Belmont University.
Karen Hickey, RN, has been CNO at SRH since 2010, overseeing all clinical departments and serving as program director for the geriatric psychiatric unit.  
Robin Byler, RN, has been CNO at WCCH for five years, assisting with the hospital’s transition to Capella Healthcare in 2008.
“We are excited about the strength of this leadership team and the opportunities they have before them to expand and enhance services throughout the region,” said Mark Medley, President of Capella Healthcare’s Hospital Division. “All three hospitals have a rich history of providing high quality care and excellent service for their communities.  We are confident they are well-positioned for success in the coming years.”  
About Capella Healthcare
Based in Franklin, Tenn., Capella Healthcare owns and/or operates 15 general acute-care hospitals in seven states. With the philosophy that all healthcare is local, Capella collaborates with each hospital’s medical staff, board and community leadership to take care to the next level. The company has access to significant leadership and financial resources, reinvesting 100% of net cash flow into its family of hospitals to strengthen and expand services and facilities.  
Capella has five hospitals in Tennessee, including 71-bed DeKalb Community Hospital in Smithville, 60-bed Stones River Hospital in Woodbury and 60-bed White County Community Hospital in Sparta as well as Grandview Medical Center in Jasper and River Park Hospital in McMinnville.  For more information, visit the company’s website at www.CapellaHealthcare.com

Producers have the opportunity to participate in the next Master Beef Producer Class to maximize their Agriculture Enhancement grants. The Master Beef Producer Program will be hosted by the Cannon County Extension office. We plan to finish the course prior to the Tennessee Enhancement Program reimbursement deadline of December 1, 2011 for Livestock Feed Storage and Livestock Equipment. Completion of this course will allow producers to increase their cost share maximums from 35% to 50%. Please contact the Cannon County Extension before September 19th to enroll in the Fall Master Beef Producer Class. Producers enrolling in the Master Beef Producer program will receive instruction on 12 topics that focus on cow-calf production, marketing and issues facing the beef industry. You will also receive a 208 page “Tennessee Master Beef Producers Manual” that corresponds to the topics taught in the sessions. This manual will be used as a study manual during the course and for your future reference. Following completion of the course, you will be awarded a “certificate,” a Master Beef Producer cap and Master Beef Producer sign that can be mounted near the entrance to your farm.
The cost of the program is $150. Fortunately, thru the Tennessee Ag Enhancement program, a $100 scholarship is provided. This scholarship will reduce the cost of the program to $75.00. To qualify for the scholarship, you must have a “Premise ID Number” as well as be a “Beef Quality Assurance” (BQA) Certified producer and complete the Master Beef Producer Program.
To enroll in the Master Beef Producer Program, contact the Cannon County Extension Office at 563-2554, or drop by the Office at 614 Lehman Street. The cost of the program is $75. Enrollment deadline is September 19th and we must have 15 enrollees to conduct the class.

The Westmoreland Eagles football team looked as if they were going to fly away with a win Friday night over the Cannon County Lions.  The Eagles jumped out to a 28-0 lead within a minute into the second quarter.  Cannon County would finally score on a passing touchdown from quarterback Ryan Jordan to reciever Cody Petro on one of his two touchdowns  to trail 28-6.  Westmoreland would score another 13 unanswered points.  The Eagles were on another drive at the 15 trying to punch it in when the Lions’ Sean Owen would pick up a fumble and return it 80 yards for a touchdown with three minutes left before halftime.  Westmoreland would score one more time before Cannon started a scoring onslaught that would pull them as close as 18 points.  The Eagles ended up with the win 62-36 as they gained 576 yards.  Both teams combined almost reached 1000 yards of total offense.  Quarterback Ryan Jordan was 22 or 37 for 337  yards and 4 TD’s while only throwing one interception.  Justin Tobin caught two of those touchdown passes.Hawk Love ran one in from a yard out in the loss. The Lions will be back at home still looking for their first win when they host York Institute next Friday night.

A new policy for private vehicle use was adopted by the Cannon County Board of Education during Thursday night’s meeting at the Cannon County Courthouse. Due to budget cuts, buses will only be running for specific school sports teams such as high school football and basketball. Because of the lack of bus-provided transportation the board recognizes that certain employees may need to use their private vehicles for school purposes. With the use of private vehicles, the following policy shall be observed:
1. To use a private vehicle for school purposes, the employee must have the written permission of the director of schools or his designee and proof of vehicle liability insurance coverage in the following forms:
a. A copy of insurance certificate issued to the insured indicating liability limits of at least $100,000/$300,000/50,000 and
b. A specific permit for each trip involving students involving field trips.
2. The school system shall assume no responsibility for liability in case of accident unless the employee has the proper authorization described above.
3. The Board specifically forbids any employees to transport students for school purposes without prior authorization by the director of school or his/her designee.
4. Privately owned school buses and drivers of such shall meet all requirements of state law and state Board Rules, Regulations and Minimum Standards.
5. No student shall be sent on errands, personal or school related in a vehicle owned by the student, employee or the school system.
6. No employee may ask for or give permission to students to transport other students to and from any school or school related activity without written parental permission and proof of student insurance.
The Board recognizes that volunteer parent drivers are often needed to use their private vehicles for school purposes. The volunteer parent drivers who use a private vehicle must provide proof of vehicle liability insurance coverage in the form of an insurance certificate issued to the insured indicating limits of at least $100,000/300,000/50,000.
The new policy passed with the addition that transportation to and from ball games in grammar school sports will be the responsibility of each individual parent. Any Special Education travel for Special Olympics would also be the parent’s responsibility.
In the case of a low number of students traveling to a school club event such as a Beta trip, then the students could travel in a caravan which would be covered under school insurance as
long as there is a sports coach or club coach leading the way and the last vehicle following the caravan would also be a sports coach or club coach depending on the circumstance.
In other actions the Board approved the request of the Kindergarten Parents to add trees to the front of the Woodbury Grammar School at no cost to the school.
The Board also gave the green light for the proceedings of a grant to run through the books of the high school. The grant is worth $3457 and will help fund batteries ($1900) and other accessories for an electric car.
The Cannon County Amateur Radio Club will apply for grants from the Middle Tennessee Electric Cooperative and Middle Tennessee Natural Gas to help fund their projects after the Board gave approval last night.
The Board gave approval to Woodland Principal Kim Parsley to add an extra exit for vehicles at the Woodland School to help alleviate traffic crowding when school lets out during the afternoon. Parsley went before the board to ask to gravel the area. The Board approved giving her $500 for the project while the project will mostly be funded by the school itself and the Woodland PTW. Bratcher Horton Melton and Associates of McMinnville turned in the only audit bid; as a result, the board awarded the contract to them.
Director of Schools Barbara Parker announced that teacher Brad Underwood was named the Channel 2 teacher of the Week. The spotlights on Mr. Underwood will be aired Thursday September 15th at 10:00 and Friday at 6:00 AM during the newscasts.
The Board voted to extend Parker’s contract for two years. Board members Cathy Hyatt and Shannon Davenport voted against the two-year extension as both stated they would be for giving her a one-year extension due to the elections coming up and possible new board members in place. The motion passed however with Randy Gannon, Chris Blackburn and Mike Mayfield voting for the extension.
The meeting was recessed until Thursday, September 22 to approve their budget.
Cannon County High School Junior Janna Reed became the newest student representative of the Board joining fellow student representative Tyler Stone.
Dr. Barbara Corry, Director of Attendance for Cannon County Schools, and Director Parker presented a framed certificate to Auburntown School who was runner up in the best school attendance rate contest with a 96.1 percent attendance rate. Short Mountain School received a plaque for the highest attendance rate coming in at 96.2 percent. The overall attendance rate for the Cannon County School System is 95.23 percent which is way ahead of the State rate of school attendance at 93 percent.
The meeting was recessed until Thursday, September 22. The County Commissioners will meet on the 15th to set the tax rate.