News 2015

Paul Lee Reed, Fireman First Class, United States Navy entered theservice on March 24, 1945, during World War II. Paul was born on
January 25, 1920, in Readyville, Tennessee. Fireman First Class
Reed was assigned to the United States Naval Training Facility in
Great Lakes, Ill. He was assigned to the 2nd Command Naval Base,
in San Diego, California. Fireman First Class Reed was awarded
the World War II Victory Medal, and the American Area Ribbon

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands’ Murfreesboro office honored Lisa Baird, the executive director of Cannon County S.A.V.E, as the recipient of the inaugural Murfreesboro Community Award. The award was presented at a luncheon Thursday, Nov. 5 at Adams Library in Woodbury. 
The Murfreesboro Community Award recognizes an individual in the community who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and compassion in his or her efforts to support Legal Aid Society’s mission. Baird received the award for her relentless devotion to helping victims of domestic violence.
 
Through her work as director of S.A.V.E., a non-profit agency committed to stopping the cycle of domestic violence, Baird has worked closely with Legal Aid Society to legally advocate for the abused and underprivileged. She was integral in helping establish a formal partnership between Legal Aid Society and S.A.V.E. Through the alliance, she has garnered grant funding and regularly sits beside victims in court hearings to provide emotional and legal support. Baird also coordinates quarterly office visits for Legal Aid Society staff attorneys to talk with victims on-site at S.A.V.E and directs referrals to Legal Aid Society’s Murfreesboro office.
 
Andrae Crismon, managing attorney of Legal Aid Society’s Murfreesboro office, admires Baird for her passion and advocacy and said that she has a reputation as a strong proponent for domestic abuse victims.
 
“Lisa pioneered S.A.V.E with very few resources, yet she is able to make as much of an impact as other domestic violence programs that have greater means,” said Crismon. “She is an oasis in the middle of a desert for victims in Cannon County who would have nowhere to turn.”
 
Baird has been executive director at S.A.V.E since 2008.  The organization takes a holistic approach in its fight to end domestic violence by providing domestic violence victims with clothing, counseling, court advocacy and emergency shelter, among other services. S.A.V.E. does not receive any state or federal funding but is funded by local grants as well as business and individual donations.
 
“I am truly humbled to be recognized as the first recipient of Legal Aid Society’s Murfreesboro Community Award,” Baird said. “Fighting for the lives of victims of domestic violence cannot be done by one person or one organization alone. I’m grateful to work with Legal Aid Society so that together, we can offer hope to victims who feel as if all hope is lost.”
 
Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands advocates for fairness and justice under the law. The non-profit law firm offers free civil legal representation, educational programs and advice to ensure people in its region are able to protect their livelihoods, their health and their families. It serves 48 counties from offices in Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Gallatin, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Oak Ridge and Tullahoma. Legal Aid Society is funded in part by United Way. Learn more at www.las.org, by following the firm on Facebook or calling Legal Aid Society at 615-244-6610.

The Cannon County Library System is excited to announce that, for the second year in a row, West Side Elementary School is the winner of the 2nd Annual Book Battle Reading Challenge! Also, we can happily proclaim that Mrs. Gannon’s second grade class will once again receive the library sponsored pizza party. Following closely behind as the Runner Up is Woodland Elementary! Woodland could not participate in last year’s program and we are very proud to see the results they produced this year! The Cannon County Library System would also like to acknowledge Auburn Elementary, Mrs. Sullivan’s first grade from Woodbury Grammar, Short Mountain Elementary, and 2 excellent students in Mrs. Burger’s sixth grade class at East Side Elementary for their outstanding participation in the program. With the help of teachers, librarians, parents, and others, Cannon County students read an astounding 4,581 books this year, which is up 2,159 books from last year! We are tremendously proud of each and every student and we thank them, as well as their parents and teachers, for all of their hard work.

   East Side School would like toannounce the following honor
students (Principal’s List – All A’s),
Honor Roll (A’s and B’s) and students
with perfect attendance for the first grading period ending October 7:
   Mrs. Ana Smith’s Kindergarten – Perfect Attendance: Lillie Hunter, Andrew Alexander, Daylen Young, Madelyn Sullivan.
   Mrs. Paige Holt’s First Grade –Perfect Attendance:  Mackenzie McCurry.
   Mrs. Karen Cook’s Second Grade – Honor Roll:  Laila Underwood, Gage Nokes, Malachi Walls, Wyatt Valentino, Laney Mullinax.  Perfect Attendance: Laila Underwood, Gage Nokes, Malachi Walls, Jolen Gurdak, Madelyn Gannon, Laney Mullinax.
   Mrs. Connie Phillips’ Third Grade –Principal’s List:  Slade Grizzle, Sadey Grizzle, Olivia Moss.  Honor Roll:  Jack Grant, Connor Napier, Kurstin Warrick.   Perfect Attendance:  Slade Grizzle, Sadey Grizzle, Olivia Moss, Kurstin Warrick, Jayda Young.
   Mrs. Greta Reed’s Fourth Grade –Principal’s List:  Sadie Prater.  Honor Roll:  Allyson Skimehorn, Emma Muncey, Devin Grant.  Perfect Attendance:  Jeremy Earls, Austin Johnson.   Mrs. Brad Underwood’s Fifth Grade –Principal’s List:  Katie Davis.  Perfect Attendance:  Katie Davis, Montana Davis, David Palmer, Brett Skimehorn, Justin Watts.      Mrs. Gay Burger’s Sixth Grade –Honor Roll:  Braxten Alexander, Ashley Mooneyham.  Perfect Attendance:  Braxten Alexander, Ashley Mooneyham, Layla O’Sullivan, Chloe Pack, Micah Prater, Katlyn Prater, Dallas Roller.
       Mrs. Amy Underwood’s SeventhGrade –Principal’s List:  Stella Brown, Eli Cantrell.  Honor Roll:  Caden Duke, Hannah Naylor, Emalee Rogers.  Perfect Attendance: Eli Cantrell, Hunter Davis, Caden Duke, Sloane Underhill.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Mrs. Jackie Burger’s Eighth Grade – Principal’s List:  Lucas Clark, Lacon Parton.  Honor Roll:  Clay Fagan, Austin Grant, Culyer Isenhart, Shawn Matheny, Cody McPeak, Mattison Prater, Brent Scott, Jasmine Young.  Perfect Attendance: Clay Fagan, Austin Grant, Culyer Isenhart, Shawn Matheny, Cody McPeak, Lacon Parton, Brent Scott, Jasmine Young.

“The District Attorney’s Office is committed to aggressively prosecuting crimes against our community’s youngest and most vulnerable crime victims – child abuse and child sexual abuse victims,” stated District Attorney General Jennings H. Jones. 
The “19 Days of Activism for the Prevention of Abuse and Violence toward Children and Youth” is an international public awareness campaign to highlight the plight of child abuse victims.  The District Attorney’s Office for the 16th Judicial District is partnering with the Child Advocacy Center and other local organizations that serve children to raise awareness about child abuse in Rutherford and Cannon Counties.
 
“The DA’s Office reviews 50-60 new child abuse cases per month with the Child Protective Investigative Team and aggressively prosecutes every case where there is evidence to prosecute,” said Jones. “The DA’s Office is often involved at every stage of the process from providing guidance to police as they conduct their investigations to prosecuting child abusers in circuit court after they have been indicted.” General Jones stated that “the DA’s Office strives to remain accessible and supportive to those victims and their families as cases work their way through the judicial system – a process that, to someone who has never experienced it before, can seem protracted and uncertain” said Jones.
 “Effective January of 2015, Hugh Ammerman joined the office as the new Child Abuse prosecutor for Rutherford County. Hugh is a veteran trial lawyer with 10 years of experience with the Nashville DA’s Office wherein he focused his professional efforts on the prosecution of crimes involving domestic and sexual violence and was therefore well-equipped to take on his new responsibilities. Hugh is passionate about working with victims and dedicated to keeping the children of our community safe,” said Jones.
 
General Jennings Jones concluded, “As a community it is our responsibility to do everything we can to prevent children from being abused.  The District Attorney’s Office supports the Child Advocacy Center’s ‘Darkness to Light’ Program.  ‘Darkness to Light’ is a nationwide initiative to teach parents and grandparents how to protect their children from child sexual abuse and what to do if a child reports abuse to them.”  
 
To bring a Darkness to Light training to your church, school, PTO, business, non-profit agency, or civic group, please contact the Ryan Wallace at the Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford County (615) 867-9000 or Amanda Pruitt at the Cannon County Child Advocacy Center (616) 563-9915.

For 22 years, Middle Tennessee Electric employees welcomed members at their Smyrna office on South Lowry Street. On Oct. 30, that office closed its doors and on Nov. 2, MTEMC’s new Smyrna office opened at 505 Nolan Drive. A grand opening and ribbon cutting was held today at the new location. 
“Providing a convenient place where members can discuss their service or pay their bill is key to providing outstanding member service,” said MTEMC President Chris Jones. “This new space is a fine example of MTEMC’s continued commitment to serve communities all across our territory at the highest level.”
 
The new location features the same amenities as the previous location, including a lobby where members can sign up for service or make inquiries regarding their account. For members who would rather drive through to pay their bill, the new office is equipped with a full-service drive through.
 
The mission of MTEMC is to provide affordable, reliable, safe electricity and outstanding member service to its nearly 210,000 residential and business members in Williamson, Wilson, Rutherford and Cannon counties.  More information on the cooperative can be found at www.mtemc.com.

“In the first three quarters of 2015, the Child Protective Investigative Team has investigated 1,931 child abuse cases and 5 children’s deaths,” announced Christina Moody, Rutherford County Department of Children’s Services Office of Child Safety Investigations Coordinator.  
The Child Advocacy Center Board of Directors, staff, and the Child Protective Investigative Team members will raise the Children’s Memorial Flag to commemorate child abuse victims on November 11, 2015 at 12:45 p.m. at the Child Advocacy Center, located at 1040 Samsonite Blvd., Murfreesboro.  The community is invited to attend the event.
 
“We raise the flag to symbolize all the children in Rutherford and Cannon Counties that have been victims of child abuse this past year.  We want to remember the children who were abused and the children whose lives have been lost,” said Ryan Wallace, Child Advocacy Center Community Education Coordinator.
 
November 1-19 are the dates of the 19 Days of Activism for the Prevention of Violence toward Children and Youth.  19 local agencies have partnered for the “19 Days of Activism.”  The partner agencies are:  CADCOR, Centerstone, Department of Children’s Services, District Attorney’s Office for the 16th Judicial District, The Family Center, Guidance Center, Kymari House, La Vergne Police Department, Last Call 4 Grace Ministries, Mental Health Cooperative, MTSU Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, Murfreesboro City Schools, Murfreesboro Police Department, Nurses for Newborns, Our Kids Center, Percy Priest Lodge #85 Fraternal Order of Police, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, Smyrna Police Department, and the Child Advocacy Center.
 
“Every child deserves a safe home and school and to live a life free from abuse and violence.  The theme of the ‘19 Days of Action’ is bullying,” said Child Advocacy Center director De Boer.  “The partner agencies are participating in a media campaign to educate the public on the work they do to eradicate child abuse and bullying in our community. Our goal is to let families know that there is help out there for children and families that need help.”
 
During the “19 Days of Activism,” the Child Advocacy Center and their community partners have two goals.  The first goal is that the organizations that serve child abuse victims are sponsoring 19 press releases every day for 19 days to educate the community about child abuse, the impact of bullying on children and youth, and the resources that are available to assist children and families. 
The second goal is that the Child Advocacy Center is sponsoring “Darkness to Light” trainings to educate parents and grandparents how to protect children from child sexual abuse.  In 2012, the Child Advocacy Center began a new initiative called “Darkness to Light.”  Since then, over 5,500 parents, grandparents, and professionals have been trained in Rutherford and Cannon Counties, and over one million have been trained worldwide how to protect children from child sexual abuse and what to do if their child reports abuse to them. 
 
De Boer stated, “Call the Child Advocacy Center today and sign up for a “Darkness to Light” child sexual abuse prevention training.  We want to train you so that no child you love ever experiences the horrors of child sexual abuse.”
 
To bring a free child sexual abuse prevention training to your business, civic group, church, school, PTO, or sports league, please contact the Child Advocacy Center.  In Rutherford County, call Ryan Wallace at 615-867-9000.  In Cannon County, call Amanda Pruitt at 615-563-9915.
 
For more information on the “19 Days of Activism for the Prevention of Abuse and Violence toward Children and Youth” visit the Women’s World Summit Foundation website at http://19days.woman.ch/index.php/en/
 
The community is invited to attend the flag raising to commemorate child abuse victims on November 11 at 12:45 p.m. at the Child Advocacy Center, located at 1040 Samsonite Blvd., Murfreesboro. 
 

MTSU’s Veterans Memorial Committee recognized Cold War vets with their annual service to kick off activities surrounding the 34th Salute to Armed Services Game. 
But veterans from World War II forward received the royal treatment during the daylong festivities surrounding the Blue Raiders’ Conference USA football game against visiting Marshall in Floyd Stadium.
 
Between the approximately 30-minute memorial service outside the Tom H. Jackson Building and football game — complete with special Band of Blue halftime salute — there was a military science ROTC-sponsored picnic, Vets’ Village and plenty of activities for them and their families and friends.
 
To view video from the morning memorial service, visit https://youtu.be/lgfpU0NY4fk.
 
Nearly 600 vets and their family members attended the picnic and game.
 
Since 1982, MTSU has dedicated one football game to thank U.S. servicemen and servicewomen in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard for their sacrifices for Americans’ freedom.
 
“A strong and prepared military can prevent war,” said MTSU alumnus and retired U.S. Army Col. Mark Benedict (Class of ’85), the guest speaker for the midmorning memorial service on the cool, overcast day. “Nations who go to war often target the weak and unprepared first.”
 
“Today, we owe a debt of gratitude to all veterans who served to preserve the fragile peace in Europe,” Benedict added. “Some of their names are on this beautiful (stone) memorial. Some died in combat; some died in training accidents. But men and women from every state in the Union performed their duty with honor. Today, we remember their sacrifices and the victory they accomplished for our nation and the world. Thank you for honoring them with your presence here today.”
 
During the picnic, Andy Womack, an MTSU alumnus and Murfreesboro businessman, received the Joe Nunley Sr. Award from the Nunley committee for his service to his country as a Vietnam vet and community.
 
Eddie Lynch of Smyrna, Tennessee, president of the Vietnam Veterans 1089 chapter for Rutherford County, said he “thinks it’s a great thing for Vietnam Vets to get together like this for a football game.”
 
MTSU computer science alumnus Frank Forbes (’72) of Nashville, who served from 1966-70 with the U.S. Army Security Agency, attends the game almost every year.
 
“I haven’t made them all, but I have made most of them,” he said. “It’s awesome. I don’t know of any other school that does this. The Band of Blue covers the entire field at halftime. I do everything I can to support and promote it.”
 
U.S. Marines collected Toys for Tots at various parts of the stadium before the game.
 
The MTSU Department of Athletics-sponsored ‘Salute’ events ended a major week for the university, which witnessed the grand opening the $329,000 Veterans and Military Family Center on the first floor of Keathley University Center.
 
Womack (’70) told the audience “the event (Vet Center grand opening) was one of the best I’ve ever been to. I have never been prouder of my school.”

Every day, law enforcement, emergency responders, and departments of children’s’ services field calls, visit homes, meet with families – and comfort children who are victims of abuse and neglect in Middle Tennessee. But these professionals don’t do it alone. They depend on the cooperation of many community experts, like Mental Health Cooperative.
“Our team of care managers, therapists and psychiatric providers often see family members experiencing high levels of stress. We work alongside the children and community partners to educate on risk factors of abuse in an effort to defuse violence. Our team also provides support in court rooms ­and advocacy in schools. We meet with teachers, principals and families to help a child who may be a victim of trauma,” says Dr. David Patzer, psychiatrist and director of children and youth psychiatric services at Mental Health Cooperative.
This month, Mental Health Cooperative has joined hands with a worldwide event to help bring awareness for the prevention of abuse and violence against children and youth during these first three weeks of November.
“That’s why we’re such big supporters of the ’19 Days of Activism.’ People need to be aware, and they need to know the resources we have in place to help kids,” adds Patzer.
If you know someone who needs the assistance of mental health professionals, call (615) 743-1555 or toll free 866-816-0433.

The Arts Center of Cannon County announces two productions set to start this weekend The Arts Center of Cannon County Production Of Mary Poppins starts tonight
This family musical features the delightful songs from the popular Disney film including “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and “Chim Chim Cher-ee.” Winner of 44 major theatre awards from around the globe, Mary Poppins has captivated audiences for generations, and now the enchanting story, unforgettable songs and breathtaking dance numbers will dazzle and delight theatre goers of all ages. Believe in the magic of Mary Poppins and discover a world where anything can happen if you let it!
Performances run November 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 at 7:30pm
November 8 & 15 at 2:00pm
The Arts Center Of Cannon County also announces the production of a Neverland Christmas Carol
From the moment Peter Pan eavesdrops at the Darling’s nursery window and overhears Mrs. Darling reading “A Christmas Carol” to her children, Christmas becomes more spirited than ever before! Come along on this grand holiday adventure as Wendy and her brothers accompany Peter back to Neverland to share the story of Scrooge and teach the Lost Boys the traditions of Christmas. But if you think this sounds like a merry little celebration, well, to paraphrase Ebenezer, “bah humbug!” For while the ever-jealous Tinkerbell sulks at Wendy’s presence, wicked Captain Hook and his zany band of pirates concoct an evil scheme to sabotage the children’s festivities. Now, it’s up to Peter Pan, the Lost Boys, the Darlings, and a comical, Dickens-inspired reenactment to show Hook the error of his ways and ultimately save Christmas in Neverland. The Neverland Cast will perform “A Neverland Christmas Carol” this Saturday at 2:00.  A whole new cast entitled the London Cast will perform next Saturday at 2:00
Tickets for all performances are available by calling the box office at 615-563-2787 or by their website at artscenterofcc.com