News 2011

More people are unemployed in Cannon County this month. The latest jobless report for November shows unemployment here at 10.1 percent, up four-tenths of a point since the October report. There are 6,660 people in the work force in Cannon County, and 680 were out of work in November. The news was much the same for Cannon County’s neighbors. Warren County’s jobless rate was the highest, at 11 percent, up five-tenths of a point. Coffee County registered at 10.1 percent, up seven-tenths of a point. DeKalb County’s jobless rate was 9.3 percent, up four-tenths of a percent. Rutherford County’s jobless rate rose three-tenths of a point, to 8.4 percent. Wilson County had the lowest rate of any of Cannon County’s neighbors at 8.1 percent, up three-tenths of a point.
Tennessee’s overall unemployment rate for November was 9.4 percent, unchanged from the October rate. The national unemployment rate for November 2010 was 9.8 percent, up two-tenths of a point from October. Tennessee’s jobless rate for November increased in 85 counties, decreased in eight counties and remained the same in two counties.
Lincoln County registered the state’s lowest county unemployment rate at 6.3 percent, up from the October rate of six percent. Scott County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 19.9 percent. Knox County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate of 7.2 percent. Hamilton County was 8.1 percent, Davidson County was 8.7 percent and Shelby County was 9.9 percent.

Tennesseans is sending several freshman lawmakers to Congress today. Midstate Representatives Diane Black and Scott DesJarlais are among the foursome headed to the nation’s capital to take their oaths of office. The now-Republican majority has vowed one of the first issues they’ll attempt to tackle is the controversial federal health care overhaul. Along with repealing the new law, Black and DesJarlais say they will focus on less spending, getting out of debt and stimulating the private sector.

Researchers believe the higher rates of fatal strokes in the South, including the state of Tennessee, are due to a heavy consumption of fried fish.The omega-three fatty acids in fish have been linked to a lower risk of stroke, but frying fish reduces the health benefits of those fatty acids. Scientists say those who live in the so-called “stroke belt” are more likely to suffer a stroke and die from it than people in other states across the country.
Along with the Volunteer State, the stroke belt includes North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana.

A Woodbury man is facing numerous charges following an incident on Christmas Eve.On December 24th, Johnny Brian Hollis, 24 of Mason Street was arrested and charged with aggravated rape, aggravated kidnapping (2 counts), resisting arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia and prohibited possession of a weapon.
According to Woodbury Police Department reports, Hollis imprisoned two women while holding them at bay with a machete. One of the women managed to escape unharmed, however the other victim was raped. Hollis resisted officers when they went to his home at 120 Mason St. to arrest him on the charges.
Hollis was released on parole from the Tennessee Department of Corrections on December 6th, where he was in prison for the charge of voluntary manslaughter. Hollis was convicted in November 2004.
Investigating the case was Officer John Fesmire. Also assisting in the case was Officer Chris Brown, Deputy Tommy Barker and Chief Tony Burnett.
Hollis has a court date of January 25, 2011. He is being held on $580,000.00 bond.

Short Mountain Distillery may have some company in the new year, as more areas will have the opportunity to establish them.More distilleries are coming to Tennessee in the New Year. The state Legislature has approved a new law that allows around 40 more counties to manufacture distilled spirits. Under the legislation, manufacturers are allowed to begin production in any county, including Davidson County, where liquor retail package sales and by-the-drink sales have already been approved.
Up until now, only the Jack Daniel’s, George Dickel and Prichards’ Rum distilleries were allowed to produce liquor in Moore, Coffee and Lincoln counties, respectively.

Changes in the city’s beer ordinance and discussion of possible sites for a new fire hall filled most of the time at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Mayor and Board of Alderman for the town of Woodbury.A public hearing was held concerning Ordinance No. 436. The ordinance was proposed to amend Ordinance No. 421 (regulating the sale, distribution for sale, and manufacturing of beer within the Town of Woodbury), by amending Section 8-210 to allow restaurants located on the public square to sell beer.
The only person addressing the board during the hearing was Bro. James McDonald. McDonald said he was opposed to the sale of beer. “This is more than “a business deal” this is bad for our community and bad for our young people,” said the minister. Alderperson Dottie Duggin said she was “uncomfortable” with removal of restriction, stating that beer should not be sold on the public square.
Currently none of the restaurants on the square (that have expressed an interest in adding malt beverages to their menus) meet the minimal seating requirement.
A public hearing was also held prior to the second vote on adoption of Ordinance No. 437. The ordinance would amend Ordinance No. 421 (regulating the sale, distribution for sale, and manufacturing of beer within the Town of Woodbury), by amending Section 8-212(2). The change will allow the sale of beer on Election Day.
Both of the changes were approved by the board.
City Attorney Dale Peterson informed the board that a private citizen has offered to sell a tract of land near the intersection of John Bragg Highway and Old Murfreesboro Pike as a location for a new fire hall. Chief Bill Johnson suggested to the board that another site on Main Street near the intersection with Houston Hills.
Mayor Harold Patrick said that the city was currently reviewing grant opportunities that could assist with the purchase of the property. Since any consideration of this project would be “months away,” the mayor asked Vice Mayor Charlie Harrell and Alderperson Faye Northcutt-Knox to research both properties under consideration.

Judge Susan Melton presided over Cannon County General Sessions Court on Tuesday. Some of the results from the various cases which appeared on the docket included:Michael Murphy was appointed an attorney and reset for January 11, 2011. He is charged with violation of probation.
Travis Dobson was reset until March 1, 2011. He is charged with a driver’s license violation.
Joseph Prine was reset until March 1, 2011. He is charged with a hunting violation.
The remaining cases on the docket were civil and traffic matters. In the civil cases, Judge Melton either entered judgments or held a hearing. The traffic cases either resulted in a fine and court costs being assessed or ordering defendants to attend driver safety school.