News 2012

Another church organization is being questioned for possible violations of zoning laws here in Woodbury. The subject was brought up under new business at the Town Of Woodbury Planning Commission’s monthly meeting Tuesday night at City Hall. Mr. Wes Frazier President of Captured By Grace Ministries approached the commission last year in the March and April meetings to ask the planning commission to change the residence he purchased on West Adams Street from being zoned residential into a commercial zone. He was planning on using the residence as a domestic violence shelter, taking in abused individuals and also people who are homeless. The zoning request was denied. There were concerns that the shelter was too close to the Woodbury Grammar School. After being denied the request Frazier stated he would use it as a church instead. Now there are numerous reports that the house is being used as a domestic violence shelter to house abused victims. Mayor Harold Patrick requested that Planning Commission Chairman Jimmy Barrett write a letter to Mr. Frazier to have him attend the January meeting last night to answer as to why he was using the residence as a domestic violence shelter or show proof he wasn’t using it as a safehaven for abuse victims. Mr Frazier then got into contact with the Mayor and informed him that due to prior obligations he would not be able to attend the January meeting and requested to be rescheduled to the February meeting. Mayor Patrick then corresponded by letter stating that the commission could not agree to a continuance unless Frazier assures us in writing that they will not be operating a domestic violence shelter during this period of time. In a response to the letter, Mr. Frazier writes “We are NOT and have never been” This is a false accusation. Mr. Frazier goes on to write that “I am requesting in writing that all that have accused and filed a complaint against the Ministry be present. Also all copies of the sworn affidavit’s be given to me at the meeting on February 21st 2012 for my record and future use.” Woodbury City Planner Shannon Copas will research the town of Woodbury’s zoning codes. He advised that this may be an issue for the Board of Zoning Appeals to rule on instead of the planning commission. The matter will be looked into more intensely in February.
No other business was brought up before the Planning Commission

The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties have announced a partnership with Greenhouse Ministries to provide VITA sites in Rutherford County beginning in January 2012. VITA Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, is a free service and will aide qualifying local residents in claiming their tax refund dollars. Those interested in taking advantage of this program who have an annual household income of $50,000 or less should bring their W-2 paperwork, picture ID and a social security card or letter from the social security administration for each dependent that will be claimed to the VITA sites. Assistance will be available at the Greenhouse Ministries. Monday  Wednesday and Friday from 9A-5P, Tuesday and Thursday from 9A-8P and Saturdays from 9A-2P. For additional questions please contact Greenhouse Ministries at 615-494-0499 or United Way at 615-893-7303

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and the Tennessee Department of Health is urging all women to get screened for cervical cancer in 2012. Cervical cancer is a silent killer that strikes without symptoms or pain until the disease is in the most advanced stage.“The survival rate is almost 100 percent for women whose cervical cancer is found at an early stage. Deaths from cervical cancer could be decreased dramatically through the combination of vaccination and regular Pap testing,” Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, said. “We urge all women to get screened for cervical cancer and talk to their health care providers about ways to prevent and reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer.”
Almost all cervical cancer is caused by infection with certain dangerous strains of Human Papillomavirus, a virus so common that about half of all sexually active people will be infected by one or more different strains in their lifetime. HPV vaccines can prevent infection with the kinds of HPV that cause most cervical cancer. These vaccines are available from many healthcare providers and through the Vaccines for Children program in Tennessee’s public health department clinics for anyone under age 19 with TennCare or without insurance coverage. Even though the vaccine works very well, it cannot prevent every case of cervical cancer, so vaccinated women also need regular Pap smears.
”The HPV vaccine is quite safe and very effective at preventing infections that can lead to cervical cancer and other kinds of cancer in both men and women. For this reason, it is now recommended for both young women and men,” according to Kelly Moore, MD, MPH, medical director of the Tennessee Immunization Program. “Because the vaccines prevent infections but cannot treat pre-existing infections, they work best when given well before sexual activity begins. They are typically given at age 11 or 12, along with other routine pre-teen vaccinations, but they are recommended for every woman under age 27 who has not yet been vaccinated.”
All women are at risk for developing cervical cancer, especially as they age. Screening and early diagnosis are the best ways to ensure a cervical cancer diagnosis is not fatal. The American Cancer Society reports that in the United States, about 12,701 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed this year and about 4,290 women will die from cervical cancer. Among American women diagnosed with cervical cancer, 60 to 80 percent had not had a Pap test in the past five years.
Women can contact their local community health center or county health department for
information on screening services and locations. The Tennessee Breast and Cervical Screening Program is available in most county health departments and some community health centers across the state to assist uninsured women with limited income in getting clinical breast exams, Pap tests and mammograms at no charge. For more information, call the toll-free number 1-877-96-WOMEN (1-877-969-6636) or visit the TDOH website at http://health.state.tn.us/BCC/index.htm.

Farmers planning to attend the seventh annual Middle Tennessee Grain Conference scheduled for Thursday, January 26 at the Coffee County Fairgrounds in Manchester can save money by pre-registering at their local UT Extension office by Friday, January 20.Pre- registration fee for the conference is five dollars per person, which includes the program and materials, refreshments, lunch, a copy of the conference proceedings, and a grain conference cap. Conference day registration will begin at 7:30 am at a cost of ten dollars per person.
According to the 2011 conference evaluation survey, 221 farmers from twenty-two middle Tennessee Counties and two adjoining states rated the Middle Tennessee conference as an excellent source of information addressing pertinent crop production topics.
An excellent slate of speakers will address management strategies for corn, wheat and soybean production for 2011, followed by keynote speaker, Dr. Larry Steckel, UT Extension Weed Specialist, who will address the rapid movement of Palmer amaranth in middle and east Tennessee and an update on new glyphosate resistant weeds discovered in Tennessee. According to Dr. Steckel, “Palmer pigweed could potentially be the worst pest for row crop production farmers have ever experienced.” Dr. Steckel’s presentation will address proactive management of glyphosate resistant weeds for economical control.
The Middle Tennessee Grain conference begins with registration at 7:30 am. The trade show opens at 8:00 am, with break-out presentations beginning at 9:00 am addressing the 2012 grain market outlook, variety selection, compliance with on-farm fuel storage regulations, new crop insects, and managing wheat for top yields. This program, like all UT Extension programs, is open to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability or veteran status. The program will conclude with the keynote presentation following a catered lunch.
For more details on topics and pre-registration contact Bruce Steelman at Cannon County Extension Office at 614 Lehman Street, or call 563-2554.
 

A Woodbury Man, suspected of robbing the Pinnacle Bank in Lebanon earlier this month has turned himself into Lebanon Police and the FBI last week. According to the Wilson Post, Clifton A. Knight of Woodbury was arrested on a Federal Warrant for Bank Roobery and is now in Federal Custody. Knight has been convicted of a gun related crime previously but he did not display a weapon in the Pinnacle Bank Robbery. Knight is also being looked at in connection with other bank robberies that have occured in the area.

The Living Well with Chronic Conditions (LWCC) program will be conducted once a week for six weeks beginning February 7 at 12 noon at the Cannon County Senior Center in Woodbury. This program is intended for anyone living with a chronic condition, family members, friends and caregivers of an individual with a chronic condition.Each session is two hours in length. Space is limited to twenty participants. Call the Senior Center at 563-5304 to register today. There is NO registration fee as it is funded through UT Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences and Department of Human Service secured grants.
This includes the cost of the program, materials and the book Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions, a $15.00 value.
Developed by Stanford University, this evidence-based program teaches practical skills on managing chronic diseases. Participants learn about self-management of their health condition and ways to work effectively with their health care professionals.
Through this interactive program, participants gain confidence in their ability to cope with their health condition and become motivated to make lifestyle changes, adhere to prescribed medical treatments and become informed patients.
Contact Carla Bush, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, at the UT Extension, Cannon County Office if you have 615-563-2554.

The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties has announced that its annual Community Celebration will be held Tuesday, February 21, at 11:30 AM at Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro.Tickets are $10 per person for open seating or $150 for a reserved table of ten. Reservations may be made online at www.uwrutherford.org. Reservations are required by February 10.
The Community Celebration serves as an opportunity to recognize the past year’s accomplishments, corporate partners and volunteers of United Way. This year’s event will include the announcement of a special milestone at United Way.
The Community Celebration is sponsored by Regions Bank, Publix, Nissan and Embassy Suites.
For questions, please contact Meagan Flippin at 893-7303

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has proclaimed January “Radon Action Month” to help educate Tennesseans about the dangers of radon exposure and encourage actions to identify and to address radon problems in the home.   
In conjunction with Gov. Haslam’s announcement, the Department of Environment and Conservation has joined forces with the American Lung Association, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and various local and county health departments for an outreach program to raise awareness about this health risk and the importance of testing.
 
“Tennesseans can check for the presence of radon with a simple test,” said Haslam.  “I encourage each household to take this important step to safeguard the health of loved ones from the dangers of exposure to radon.”
 
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that can seep into homes through cracks and openings in the foundation.  It cannot be seen, tasted or smelled, but in concentrated levels radon can pose a threat to human health.  The EPA estimates that approximately 70 percent of Tennessee’s population lives in high risk or moderate risk radon areas.  According to the EPA, radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
 
The best time to test is during consistently cold weather, usually from October to March.  This is the time of year when doors and windows are shut, so the test results are more representative of in-home exposure.  Radon problems can be fixed by qualified contractors for a cost comparable to that of many common household repairs, such as painting or installing a new water heater.
 
“Testing is such an important step because radon acts unpredictably,” said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau.  “Nationally, about six percent of homes surveyed had elevated levels of radon.  In contrast, 16 percent of Tennessee homes surveyed had elevated levels and in some counties, 33 to 75 percent of homes being tested have elevated levels of radon.”
 
While radon poses a serious threat to our community’s health, radon test kits are the first step toward a straightforward solution and are easy to use. In Tennessee, radon test kits can be purchased at most local hardware and home improvement stores, or through the American Lung Association.  TDEC also offers an online system for Tennesseans to order radon test kits at a reduced price, making it easier than ever for citizens to identify and address potential radon exposure problems at home. 
 
To order a radon test kit or to learn more about the dangers of radon exposure, please visit TDEC’s website at www.tn.gov/environment/ea/radon or contact the department’s Tennessee Radon Program at 1-800-232-1139 or TDEC.Radon@tn.gov. 

Around 25 residents of the Hills Creek Road area here in Cannon County showed up to the monthly meeting of the Cannon County Commissioners Saturday to voice their opinions and concerns of the Spring2Life Christian Addiction Recovery Center. The Center recently bought property on Hills Creek Road.to open a faith based resident home to people who are seeking help in overcoming addictions. The Commission heard from Erk Hines pastor and president of Spring2Life. After Pastor Hines introduced his program and addressed questions from the Commissioners and a few from the audience. The residents from that area got their chance to address the Commission. During the discussion, Commissioner Kevin George said that because it was part of a church organization nothing illegal is being done. In other actions.the Commissioners approved the Budget Amendments presented in the Debt Service Budget, County General Budget and the Cannon County Schools BudgetThe Commissioners approved the 2012 Road Map and inventory list from the County Garage with the amendment of a couple of road names. Burt Lane and Horton Hollow Lane’s information needed to be added correctly to the Road Map.
Cannon County Sheriff Darrell Young gave a report on the progress of the capital project of renovating the jail. Two tankless water heaters, four HVAC units and 8 exhaust fan motors and the roof has been repaired. The lighting and security system is still in the works at this time. The total cost at this point not including the roof is $45,281.00 which leaves a balance of $179,718.96
The Commission approved to the payoff of three long term loans to save money by not having to pay the interest of the loans. With this approval the Cannon County Expo Building loan, the 9-1-1 building loan and the water line loan on the water line shared by Cannon and Rutherford Counties will be paid off. This will save the County an estimated $375,000 in the long run.
The Commission agreed to the Budget Amendment in Debt Service fund to initiate a bond rating study which will cost $5,000. Once a bond rate is established the County can save at least $10,000 a year on future loans
The Commission reviewed a report that showed where each county department stood in their budget figures for the first half of the fiscal year. A handful of departments were significantly  over 50 percent of their budget but it was noted that they are in good shape as most of their budgeted items are paid out only once a year.
The next meeting of the Cannon County Commissioners is Tuesday February 14th

The Cannon County Lionettes picked up another win.  This time it was on the road and in district play,  Friday night the Lionettes traveled to Carthage to face district opponent Smith County a team they had beaten once already in the Trousdale County Tournament just before the New Year.  That game was close.  Friday’s night’s contest was not so close.  Cannon did not allow the Lady Owls to score in the second quarter and went into the locker room leading 28-7.  The Lionettes continued to dominate the game even though they turned the ball over  23 times.  Abbey Sissom scored 19 points as Cannon grabbed their 18th victory of the year beating Smith County 51-37.  Lindsey Reed chipped in 10 points for the Lionettes who even their district record at 3-313 is an unlucky number especially considering Friday was January 13th.  That’s how many points Cory Henley had in the boys game against Smith County but no one else stepped in to help score and Cannon missed out on lucky win number 7.  The Owls Trey Salisbury had the highlight of the evening with a slam dunk as Cannon dug a hole early in the game and never could catch up.  Smith County went on to win 80-52.  The Lions now fall to 6 -16 on the year and will meet York Institute next Friday with only 1 district win on their record. A complete box score will appear later this afternoon