News 2014

The Cannon County Lions and Lionettes basketball teams continue to impress the state of Florida as both teams have rolled into the championship games of their respective brackets of the Marlin Christmas Classic .  The Lionettes had no problem with Archbishop Tuesday afternoon winning 48-32.  Autumn King scored 17 to lead the Lionettes while Kendra Maynard had yet another outstanding performance with 16 points.  The Lionettes will play in the championship game Wednesday night at 6:00.  The battle of the Lions wasn’t much of a battle as the Cannon County Lions took control early in the game and never looked back as they beat the Columbia Lions 64-54.  Jacob Nave continued his bid for tournament MVP with 18 points while Josh Ruehlan should also be in the mix as he netted 17 in the win.  The Lions will participate in the tournament championship Wednesday night at 7:30  

A Murfreesboro man and Bradyville woman were arrested recently in regards to an auto burglary that was in progress at the time Murfreesboro police responded to the call.  According to police reports, Murfreesboro Police while responding to the scene of the burglary spotted the vehicle matching the description.  The vehicle had a headlight out so a traffic stop was initiated.  While approaching the vehicle, the passenger Ms. Terra Burgess of Bradyville got out of the vehicle and attempted to walk away before being ordered to stop.  The driver, Zachary Thomson of Murfreesboro had black gloves on and was trying to take them off and hide them under the seat.  Police had Thomson exit the vehicle and the clothing he was wearing matched the description given.  A witness and the victim of the auto theft were interviewed.  They stated several items that were stolen.  Those items were visible in Thomson’s car.   The witness gave a positive identification of Thomson as the one he saw breaking into vehicles.  Thomson admitted to the burglaries.  While Police retrieved Ms. Burgess’s cell phone from the glove box, they found a baggie containing 13 Xanax pills along with a pill bottle belonging to someone else.  Further investigation revealed the the pills were stolen from a burglary in October.  Both Thomson and Burgess were charged with burglar to automobile times 4, Theft under $500 and possession of schedule 4 drugs.  Charges are pending from Rutherford County for some stolen County GPS Units that were found in Thomson’s car.

The Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency would like to remind those who receive assistance through the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance program known as Commodities that it is time for recertification of their commodities card.  With 2015 deliveries right around the corner, it is very important for recipients to recertify their commodity card with their local county offices prior to the first pick up date.  Recertification starts Friday January 2nd. If you think you or someone you know qualifies for this program please contact the Cannon County office at 563-2916 for more information.  

Tennessee State Parks will sponsor free, guided hikes on New Year’s Day. Each state park will host its own special hike in the first few days of the New Year.The First Hikes begin at 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 at Radnor Lake State Park. Henry Horton, Harrison Bay, Tims Ford, Norris Dam and Pickett state parks will host midnight hikes. The First Hikes will continue throughout New Year’s Day with morning, afternoon and evening hikes.
“Our First Hikes have been very popular and we are excited to continue this series in the New Year,” TDEC Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill said. “The First Hikes offer a great way to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family.”
From Reelfoot to Henry Horton to Roan Mountain and every state park in between, the 2015 First Hikes are designed for all ages and abilities. Some hikes will be approximately one mile in length and tailored for novice hikers, while others are lengthier and geared toward more experienced hikers. For a more in-depth look into planned First Hikes in your area, please visit http://tnstateparks.com/about/special-events/first-hike.
Tennessee State Parks’ First Hikes of 2015 are part of America’s State Parks First Day Hikes initiative in all 50 states.
Tennessee’s 55 state parks offer diverse natural, recreational and cultural experiences for individuals, families, or business and professional groups. State park features range from pristine natural areas to 18-hole championship golf courses. There is a state park within an hour’s drive of just about anywhere in the state, offering a variety of recreational, lodging and dining choices. For more information about Tennessee State Parks, visit http://tnstateparks.com or connect via Facebook or Twitter.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) will conduct a “No Refusal” traffic safety enforcement campaign during the 2014 New Year’s Eve holiday period, beginning at 12:01 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 31 and concluding at 11:59 p.m., Sunday, January 4.  State troopers will perform saturation patrols, seat belt, sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints and bar/tavern checks during the holiday.The state statute regarding “No Refusal” allows law enforcement officials to seek search warrants for blood samples in cases involving suspected impaired drivers. The “No Refusal” enforcement will take place in eight counties across the state – one county in each of the eight THP Districts. This campaign is aimed at deterring impaired driving and reducing fatal crashes on Tennessee roadways. 
“Our goal is to help ensure safe roadways for citizens traveling to and from Tennessee during the holiday. We must remove impaired drivers from the road in order to accomplish that goal. State troopers will aggressively seek those violators throughout this New Year’s holiday period,” THP Colonel Tracy Trott said.
The participating “No Refusal” counties include Roane (Knoxville District); McMinn (Chattanooga District); Rutherford (Nashville District); Shelby (Memphis District); Washington (Fall Branch District); Cumberland (Cookeville District); Maury (Lawrenceburg District); and Hardin (Jackson District).  
During last year’s New Year’s holiday period, 16 people were killed in traffic crashes on Tennessee roadways.  Of the 16 vehicular fatalities, 15 were vehicle occupants and one was a pedestrian. Alcohol was involved in six (37.5 %) of the traffic deaths, while seven individuals killed were not wearing seat belts. 
Driving under the influence is a category targeted by the state’s highway patrol throughout the year. State troopers have arrested 8,068 individuals for alcohol-impaired driving from January 1 through December 19, 2014. In 2013, the number of arrests made during that time was 6,192. That’s a 30 percent increase during those same dates.
In Tennessee, the preliminary number of alcohol-related crashes has decreased 6.2 percent in 2014, compared to this same time period last year.  As of December 19, there have been 6,262 crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers investigated by all Tennessee law enforcement agencies. That is 416 fewer than the 6,678 crashes during those same dates in 2013.
Overall, as of December 29, 2014, preliminary statistics indicate 952 people have died on Tennessee roadways, compared to the 986 fatalities at this same time last year.

An organization wants citizens and public officials to review the infrastructure needs for Cannon County as profiled in a Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations Report: “Building Tennessee’s Tomorrow:Anticipating the State’s Infrastructure Needs.”   The Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance says that in Cannon County 72 projects were reported that still require funding. Those projects come at an estimated total investment of $127,699,928. Projects can include infrastructure needs such as transportation networks, storm water control, public school buildings, drinking water and sewer systems. Transportation $121.5 million  Industrial Sites and Parks $3.0 million Water and Wastewater $2.6 million Public Health Facilities $300,000 School Renovations & Replacements$205,736.  TACIR’s infrastructure report is the twelfth in a series on infrastructure that began in the late 1990s. Released in June, the report highlights statewide infrastructure needs from July 2012 through June 2017. It puts a price tag for addressing those needs at a total of $38.8 billion statewide. This represents an increase of $1.3 billion or 3.5% since the previous inventory., “Adequate infrastructure drives Tennessee’s economy and allows it to be one of the fastest growing in the nation. Without adequate infrastructure – drinking water, sewer systems, flood control, a transportation network – we couldn’t live, build, travel or learn as we want,” said Bill Moore, Chairman of TN Infrastructure Alliance. “Because so much of our infrastructure was built long ago it’s easy to forget it needs consistent maintenance and growth to support our way of life here in Tennessee.”  And while the report shows the various projects the County needs, a big reminder is that the biggest hurdle on getting these projects completed is due to lack of funding.

Cow-Calf Management For December December is a critical time for cow-calf producers. How critical depends primarily on the weather. December can be a “tricky” month when it comes to weather. The environment during November is a good example and the variation in temperature, rainfall and as this is being prepared, warm weather is in the forecast for parts of the state. The weather will dictate the start of winter feeding.  With a mild December, feeding can be delayed due to the availability of some grass. A few days of grazing can lower the winter feed bill. The next four months, December through March, is the most expensive phase in the production of feeder calves.  This due to the fact that 92% of cow-calf producers use hay as the winter feed source.  Review your management practices of feeding hay and implement ways to reduce the waste that occurs. Wasted hay means reduced returns and profitability. A University of Missouri worker reported that 50% of the hay harvested is never consumed bythe cattle.Late Winter-Early Spring Calving Herds
 
These herds will be a couple of months away from being in the midst of calving requirements will increase the last third of the pregnancy. Cows should currently be in a “good” body condition score (BCS). There are lots of cows that are in a BCS of 3 and 4, whichis not good for future reproduction.
 
 

Mature cows should be in a BCS of 5 at calving. Results of research trials conducted across the nation have produced the same results. If cows are now in a BCS of 3, they will need to improve by 2 condition scores. Provide these cows extra feed now. The “rule of thumb” that can be used to determine the weight gain to increase body condition one score is 80-100 lb.  For example, a cow in a BCS of 3 at the first of December to be in a BCS of 5 at calving the first of February 1, a period of 60 days, the cow would need to gain 160 to 200 lb. to achieve this, she would need to gain 2.66 to 3.33 lb. per day. It will be difficult to make this gain on the quality of feed available on most farms and as the weather gets cold. These “thin” cows might be candidates for marketing when the expense of improving condition is considered. A report by Extension Beef Specialists of Michigan State reported that one BCS score was worth $58.00 in reduced winter feed costs. It will be more now with the added cost of producing and harvesting hay.

Bred replacement heifers should be in a body condition score (BCS) of 6 at calving. If not currently in a condition score of “6,” these females need to be fed and managed to be in a BCS of 6 at calving and breeding for the replacement heifers.  These females will require a higher quality, more expensive feed than cows.

If available, dry and mature pregnant cows can utilize corn crop residue and low quality hay.  Cows in a BCS of 3 or 4 would need to be supplemented. If there are plenty of shucks and leaves as well as some grain, cows in a BCS of 5-6 can do okay. Some grazing would probably be available around the edge of the fields. Frequently observe the cows’ condition. Don’t let them lose weight and condition. Check label on herbicide used last spring for precautions.

The cattle in the herd that require the greatest level of management and care during this period are the weaned and replacement heifers that will be approaching first calving. These females should be separated from the mature cow herd and fed the better quality hay. These animals will be expensive to maintain and develop into replacements.  They might be evaluated for marketing.

The young, weaned replacement heifers should be on a management program to reach 650- 750 lb.  British breeds and larger-framed heifers should weigh 700-750 lb. and cycling by March 1 and ready for breeding. What do they now weigh?  Based on the current weight, producers should develop a feeding and management program to get the job done. Generally, these heifers will need to gain 1.5-1.75 lb. per day up to breeding the first of March. Again, consider the economics.

If cows still have late calves on them, wean them.  Get them off the cows so that they can gain condition before winter sets in. Delayed weaning will result in poor body condition and delayed rebreeding. These cows should be considered for marketing in that they calve out of season.  “Out of season” calving cows create management problems and increase costs for the producer.

Now would be a good time to review the weight, grade and price of the last calf crop as well as the marketing options. Would a genetically superior bull, a shorter calving period, cooperative marketing or improved forage production improve both performance and the value of the calf crop? Plan and start the development of a short calving season.
Late Fall-Early Winter Calving Herds
Generally, these cows should calve in good condition and have adequate forage to meet lactation requirements and rebreed. However, based on personal observations, lots of allcalving cows are in a poor body condition. Some are already in a BCS as low as 3’s and 4’s. Cows should be in a BCS of “5” to successfully rebreed. If the weather gets colder, coupled with low quality feed, poor reproductive performance can be expected. These herds are in the midst of calving. Even under normal conditions, management needs for this group will be the greatest than at any time in their production cycle.

Water needs increase greatly following calving. Mature cows will need about 25 to 40 gallons per day. Water availability can be a challenge during the winter but with rainfall experienced in recent times, it should be in good supply.

Both the quality and amount of feed should be increased 20 to 30 percent following calving to ensure milk production, reproductive performance of the damns and calf performance and survival.

The females that calve in a body condition of 4 or less at calving, will have trouble rebreeding.  To improve BCS of the cows, consider weaning the calves and place them on a high quality feed. This will help the cows improve in condition and the calves to improve in gain.
Suggestions For Both Groups of Cows
 

Dry beef cows will need a diet that is at least 7% crude protein in the middle third of pregnancy and 9% protein in the last third of pregnancy. Pregnant yearling heifers will need a diet that is at least 11 to 12% protein, and heifers and mature cows nursing calves will need a diet that contains at least 11% protein.  Remember “7 come 11” as a rule of thumb.

If heifers and young cows are not separated from older cattle, they may be pushed aside when given supplemental feeds and they may not receive the protein or energy they require.

If producers need to purchase hay or other feed resources, do it soon because it will be more expensive as the winter progresses.

Approximately 2.25-2.50 tons of good quality hay will be needed to winter one animal unit (1,000 lbs.) for 150 days. If practices are not followed to reduce waste during feeding, this can increase from 2.9 –3.3 tons of hay.

Corn, corn gluten, and soy hulls are alternative feeds to substitute for forage. Consider the cost of transportation, storage as well as feeding methods of these feeds.

When purchasing hay, if possible buy it based on weight. Results from “hay days” have shown that beef producers do a “poor job” of estimating weight of large round bales.

With hay purchase and that on-hand, have a forage test done on both sources.

Treat cattle that will remain in the herd for both external and internal parasites. The effect of parasites will be greater during the winter.

Soybean meal is an excellent protein source with low-quality forages, because approximately 80 percent of the soybean meal is degraded in the rumen, and the rumen microbial population must be given a source of nitrogen so that they can reproduce, before they can digest the low-protein forage.

If producers are using corn stover as the main source of forage, it will be necessary to supplement a high-energy feed to the lactating cows such as dried distiller’s grains, corn gluten feed, or pelleted soybean hulls in order to keep the animals in the proper body condition.

If labor is an issue, and it is not feasible to feed protein supplements daily, it might be appropriate to use protein tubs for supplementation with low-protein feeds such as straw, corn stover or soybean stubble. However, expect to pay more for the same amount of protein if a soybean meal and distillers dried grain combination had been used.

Feeding low-quality feeds that are low in crude protein, below 7 percent, will result in reduced digestion and possible rumen compaction. Addition of protein supplementation to the ration will improve the digestibility of poor quality forages.

Protein supplements can be fed on alternate days if an adequate amount is provided to meet the nutritional requirement for the two days. UT research also shows that mature beef cows can be fed hay every other day when provided an adequate amount. Alternate day feedings will save labor and reduce costs but observation time of the cows is reduced.
Candy Fed to Cattle
Because they are ruminants, cattle can consume chocolate bars, gummy worms, ice cream sprinkles, marshmallows, bits of hard candy and even powdered hot chocolate mix.
Cows have been fed candies and other byproducts for decades. However, feeding candy to cows has become a more popular practice in recent years with the rising price of corn.
Producers are considering purchasing the obscure market for cast-off feed ingredients. Cut-rate byproducts of dubious value for human consumption seem to make fine feed for cows. While corn goes for about $315 a ton, ice-cream sprinkles can be had for as little as $160 a ton. A word of caution, encourage producers to calculate the available supply, storage, dry matter content and the value of the nutrient given to the cow.
Source: Examiner.com November 17, 2014. Universities Form Task Force on Antibiotic Resistance
The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) and the Association ofAmerican Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) announced the creation of the Task Force on Antibiotic Resistance in Production Agriculture the past month.
The task force is comprised of representatives from U.S. agriculture colleges/land grant universities and veterinary colleges as well as key representatives from the production animal agriculture community and the pharmaceutical industry. The goal of the task force is to help advise the federal government on a research agenda and also help publicly disseminate information on the use of antibiotics in production agriculture. Officials from key federal agencies are expected to serve as observers to the task force and leaders from public universities in Mexico and Canada will serve as ex officio members.
Scientists and the public have grown increasingly concerned about the evolution of antibiotic resistant bacteria in veterinary and human medicine. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have expressed serious concerns as well. Some bacteria have developed defenses against different classes of antibiotic compounds.
 Tyson Foods Concludes Strong Year and Sees Stronger Times Ahead
 
Despite a weak fourth quarter, Tyson Foods Inc. concluded a profitable fiscal 2014 and has expectations for fiscal 2015 as the company reaps the benefits of its acquisition of Hillshire Brands.
For the year ended Sept. 27, Tyson Foods net income rose to $864 million, equal to$2.48 per share on the common stock, an increase compared with the previous year when the company earned $778 million, or $2.26 per share. Sales for the year totaled $37.6 billion compared with $34.4 billion the previous year.
Chicken sales rose approximately 3 percent during the year to total $10.98 billion, and Prepared Foods sales rose 10 percent to $3.32 billion. Pork sales rose less than 1 percent while Beef business unit sales fell less than 1 percent.
Source: Keith Nunes. MeatPoultry.com. November 17, 2014.
 Early Cold Blast Prompts Cattle Cold Stress
 
An early blast of cold weather has landed in Tennessee and the Southeast, and that puts pressure on producers to make sure their cattle are ready for the environmental. Some locations may even see the livestock cold stress index dip into the emergency category earlier than normal this winter. This cold weather will continue to build over the course of the upcoming winter.  Wind-chill could very well dip into the single digits at times and create great stress on cattle.
Temperatures about 20 degrees below normal for this time of year and will create dangerous conditions for cattle.  Cattle producers should make sure animals have adequate shelter, water, dry bedding and feed to make it through a cold spell. Ambient temperatures can impact the amount of feed cattle eat, providing an opportunity to compensate for increased maintenance energy needs.  Producers either need to increase their animals’ feed intake or increase the energy density of the diet by feeding higher quality hay or adding more grain or fat to the grain mix.
Monitor cows during the wintertime and make sure to maintain the animals’ body condition. Poor quality hay may not provide adequate energy to maintain gestating cows that are entering the third trimester. Consider having the hay tested to determine if supplements are necessary. Consider separating younger and thinner cows that may not have the same internal insulation as conditioned older cows and supplement them accordingly or offer them higherquality forage if available.  Producers should move cows to fields with natural windbreaks or provide man-made windbreaks, which are not the same as a barn. Poorly managed barns may actually hamper efforts to improve the environmental conditions. Lastly, remember it is energy or calories that are really needed.  If the protein level in the forage is adequate, do not make supplement decisions based on protein level; rather purchase the most affordable energy source. The lower critical temperature (LCT) value for cattle is the lowest temperature or wind chill at which no additional energy is required to maintain functional body temperature. As the temperature declines below this lower critical value, the maintenance energy value for the animal is increased to maintain core body temperature. Animals maintain core body temperature by increasing their metabolism, resulting in greater heat production, as well as other heat conservation strategies, such as reducing blood flow to the extremities, shivering and increased intake. Both external and internal insulation influences the LCT. External insulation is basically the depth and thickness of the hair coat, condition of the hair coat and thickness of the hide. Thin-hided breeds such as dairy breeds tend to have a lower insulating factor than thick-hided breeds like Herefords. The condition of the hair coat is extremely important as an external insulation barrier.
If the hair is wet and full of mud, air is excluded, reducing the insulating value and in- creasing heat loss from the skin to the environment. As little as 0.1 inch of rain can immediately impact cold stress severity by matting the hair down reducing its insulating ability. Acclimation time, hide thickness, fat cover and other factors will also influence the degree of cold stress that animals experience.
Source: Jeff Lehmkueller, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, University of Kentucky.
 Feed Levels for Cows During Winter
Beef producers have known that cow energy requirements increase in cold weather.
 
There is not much we can do about the weather; however adjustments in the diet of beef cows can reduce the effects of the winter weather.
Results from an experiment at Kansas State University suggest several advantages for adjusting energy levels for cold weather.  This information was gathered during the 1979 – 1980 winter. The K-State researchers used 60 commercial cows fed in dry lot and fed one-half of the cows a steady diet based upon the thermal neutral requirements for body weight maintenance; the other 30 cows were fed a ration adjusted for 1% more feed for each degree of coldness.
Thermal neutral is generally considered to have its lower limits at 32 degrees wind chill index on cows with dry hair coats. For each 1 degree decrease in wind chill index, the feed would be increased 1%. Beef cows exposed to cold require more energy for maintenance therefore the results below indicate the effectiveness of making those adjustments.
There are several key implications from the results of this experiment. Cows that gained 115 pounds in the last 4.5 months of gestation should be in one full body condition score better at calving. This explains the increased cycling rate by 60 days after calving. In addition the 103 pound weight difference in the following fall indicates that the cows will go into the next winter in better body condition. The amount of additional feed (in the Kansas State study) to account for the cold weather events that winter would be equivalent to 125 pounds of corn per cow. The current prices of winter supplements must be considered when adjusting the ration to match the weather.  HOWEVER, the expected continued high prices of calves in 2015 – 2016, means that every advantage to improve calf crop percentage or weaning weight should be utilized.
 
Source: Glen Selk, November 19, 2014. Oklahoma State University.
 
 
 
 
 
 Cattle Care During Winter Weather
 
The long range weather forecast is calling for some extended cold temperatures.  Over the course of winter cold temperatures, wind chill, snow, freezing rain and mud are all possible. All of these winter weather conditions can negatively impact livestock performance and in- crease the energy requirement of the animal.

All animals have a thermo neutral zone, that is, a temperature range that is considered optimum for body maintenance, animal performance and health. The lower boundary of this zone is referred to as the lower critical temperature (LCT). Livestock experience cold stress below the LCT. An increase in the metabolism of the animal, generally by shivering, in or- der to maintain body temperature is one method of dealing with cold stress. This requires more    energy, either from fat stores or more energy intake in the diet. The general rule of thumb is that energy intake must increase by 1% for each degree of cold below the LCT.

As hair coat thickness is increased, the LCT decreases. For example, in cattle, the LCT temperature for a summer hair coat or a wet hair coat is 59 degrees F. The LCT temperature for a winter hair coat is 32 degrees F and for a heavy winter coat it is 18 degrees F.

The producer needs to realize that once an animal’s coat is wet, regardless of how heavy it is, the lower critical temperature increases to that summer hair coat LCT. This is because hair coats lose their insulating ability when wet. Sheep are the exception, since wool has the ability to shed water and maintain its insulating properties.

Mud can also reduce the insulating ability of the hair coat. The relationship between mud and its effect on energy requirements is not as well defined, but depending upon the depthof the mud and how much matting of the hair coat it causes, energy requirements could in- crease 7 to 30% over dry conditions. In addition, there is research that suggests that mud may also be associated with decreased feed intake.

Wind speed produces wind chill and can further increase energy requirements for cattle when those values are below the LCT.
Following are several management options to help cattle cope with winter weather stresses, including:

Provide windbreak protection to reduce the effects of wind chill on energy requirements.

Increase access to better quality forage. Cattle can increase intake to some extent under cold conditions and if forage is of good quality, then energy intake is also increased. Grinding poorer quality forages to decrease particle size can allow more intake and increased digestibility.

Limited feeding of corn, or use of a high energy, non-starch feedstuff.

Move livestock out of muddy conditions or take steps to reduce the mud by utilizing a feeding pad.
Source: OSU Extension Beef Team, Submitted by Jim Neel

When it comes to fireworks and New Year’s celebrations, the State Fire Marshal’s Office wants residents to make good fire safety habits a New Year’s tradition whether at home or out on the town.“No matter how you choose to ring in 2015, be sure to do it safely,” said Gary West, deputy commissioner of the Fire Prevention Division, Department of Commerce and Insurance. “Leave fireworks to the professionals and have emergency escape plans in place for not only your home, but for public venues as well.” 
Consumer fireworks are a longstanding custom of New Year’s events. But every year thousands of people – most often children and teens – are seriously injured because of fireworks injuries. A nationwide study this year by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) revealed that fireworks resulted in the deaths of eight people and caused injuries to an estimated 11,400 people in 2013 – an increase from the 8,700 people who sustained fireworks-related injuries in 2012.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office strongly advises that people attend organized public fireworks displays where compliance with state-of-the-art fire codes offer a safer way to ring in a new year.
If consumer fireworks are legal where you live and you decide to set them off on your own, be sure to follow these important safety tips:

Never allow children to handle or ignite fireworks, including sparklers, which reach temperatures of 1200 degrees.

Read and follow all warnings and instructions.

Wear eye protection.

Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks. Never throw or point fireworks at people or animals.

Only light fireworks outdoors on a smooth, flat surface away from homes, dry leaves and flammable materials.

Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned.

Keep a bucket of water and a garden hose nearby in case of a malfunction or fire.
Make sure that your home is equipped with working smoke alarms on every level, including the basement, and that everyone in the home knows the sound the alarm makes and what it signifies. Have a home fire escape plan with two ways out of every room and a designated outside meeting place. Practice the plan with all members of your household both at night and during the day. 
Public events are also a big part of New Year’s celebrations. If attending a party at a public venue is part of your New Year’s Eve plans, the State Fire Marshal’s Office urges you to keep the following in mind:  
Before you enter

Take a good look. Does the building appear to be in a condition that makes you feel comfortable? Is the main entrance wide and does it open outward to allow easy exit? Is the outside area clear of materials stored against the building or blocking exits?

Have a communication plan. Identify a relative or friend to contact in case of emergency and you are separated from family or friends.

Plan a meeting place. Pick a meeting place outside to meet family or friends with whom you are attending the function. If there is an emergency, be sure to meet them there.
When you enter

Locate exits immediately. When you enter a building you should look for all available exits. Some exits may be in front and some in back of you. Be prepared to use your closest exit. You may not be able to use the main exit.

Check for clear exit paths. Make sure aisles are wide enough and not obstructed by chairs or furniture. Check to make sure your exit door is not blocked or chained. If there are not at least two exits or exit paths are blocked, report the violation to management and leave the building if it is not immediately addressed. Call the local fire marshal to register a complaint.

Do you feel safe? Does the building appear to be overcrowded? Are there fire sources such as candles burning, cigarettes or cigars burning, pyrotechnics, or other heat sources that may make you feel unsafe? Are there safety systems in place such as alternative exits, sprinklers, and smoke alarms? Ask the management for clarification on your concerns. If you do not feel safe in the building, leave immediately.
During an emergency

React immediately. Immediately exit the building in an orderly fashion if an alarm sounds or if you see smoke, fire, or other unusual disturbances.

Get out, stay out! Once you have escaped, stay out. Under no circumstances should you ever go back into a burning building. Let trained firefighters conduct rescue operations.

The Cannon County Lionettes and Lions basketball teams were successful in day one of the three day Marlin Classic Basketball Tournament in Florida.  Both teams showcased their defensive presses that has helped play key so far to many of the wins on their win loss record.  It took almost three minutes for the Lionettes basketball team to score in their game against Wren High out of South Carolina but they took the lead within that three minute span and never relinquished the lead in winning 53-36  Kendra Maynard and Erin McReynolds each had 12 points to lead the way.  The Lionettes will now advance to the semifinals against Archbishop High from Florida.  Archbishop reached the final four by beating Lavergne 49-31.   Girls game slated to start at 3:00 Tuesday afternoon.  The Cannon County Lions got out to another fast start in their evening game against Marshall County of Kentucky leading by as many as 15.  Marshall County got as close as 5 points but the Lions pulled out an 11 point win 66-55.  Jacob Nave led all Cannon County scorers with 24.  It’ll be a battle of the Lions in the second round as Cannon County will move to the semi final round to face the Columbia Lions from Columbia Tennessee.  Game time will be at 4:30 in the afternoon.  Again the games will be video streamed through the website PSBlive.com

Cannon County Lionettes win the opening round of the Marlin Christmas Classic defeating Wren High of South Carolina  51-34 They will go on to play Archbishop of Florida Tuesday afternoon at 3:00