News 2015

 Antibiotics are crucially important tools doctors have to fight life-threatening bacterial diseases, but are losing their effectiveness against some infections. The Tennessee Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cite overuse and misuse of antibiotics, which can decrease their healing capabilities and contribute to the rise of drug-resistant bacteria. “Antibiotics are not benign medications and they should not be prescribed or taken unless absolutely necessary to combat bacterial infections,” said TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH. “Antibiotics have the strength to kill bacteria, which are living organisms. Our bodies have good bacteria that help with food processing and preventing illness. If these good bacteria are destroyed along with bad bacteria, we are at risk for a variety of serious health problems.”
“As we approach cold and flu season, our concern about misuse of antibiotics increases,” said TDH State Epidemiologist Tim Jones, MD. “Antibiotics fight bacteria, not viruses. Because the common cold and most respiratory infections are caused by viruses, antibiotics should not be prescribed or used. Taking antibiotics when not necessary can make future infections harder to treat and increases your risk of becoming ill from antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Taking unnecessary antibiotics can also cause allergic reactions in some people, as well as other side effects.”
“Antibiotics are generally safe medications, but they can cause side effects, some of which are serious,” said TDH Chief Medical Officer David Reagan, MD, PhD. “Allergies are the most frequent side effects of antibiotics, but many other adverse effects are possible, including reducing the barriers to infection by drug-resistant bacteria such as Colostridium difficile colitis, a deadly diarrhea, and drug-resistant staph infections.”
“Tennessee’s antibiotic prescription rates are the third highest in the nation and twice as high as the prescription rates in California,” said Marion Kainer, MD, MPH, who directs the TDH Antimicrobial Resistance Program. “To stem this tide and help ensure antibiotics work when really needed, patients should ask their healthcare providers several key questions about an antibiotic prescription.  These should include:
    Why do I need it?
    What kind of infection do I have? Is this the best drug for it?
    How long should I take it?
    Will I get better without it?
    What are the side effects?
    Will it interact with other medications?
    How and when should I take it?”
“If your doctor provides antibiotics for a bacterial infection, it’s very important to take the directed amount each day for the number of days prescribed,” Jones said. “If you don’t follow the prescription instructions, harmful bacteria can linger in your body and then become resistant to future antibiotic treatments. It’s also important not to share your prescription with others. A partial dose can contribute to developing antibiotic resistance in ourselves and others.”
Antibiotics gained widespread acceptance in the 1940s, significantly reducing death and illness from many infectious diseases. During the same decade, antibiotic resistance was noted. Because of widespread misuse of antibiotics, the CDC now lists antibiotic resistance among its top public health concerns. To learn more, visit www.cdc.gov/getsmart/community/index.html.
The CDC coordinates an annual Get Smart About Antibiotics Week to raise awareness of antibiotic resistance and the importance of appropriate antibiotic prescribing and use. This year’s observance is November 16-22, 2015. Get Smart Week focuses on the prescribing practices of outpatient settings, with a target audience of both patients and healthcare providers. The program aims to do this by promoting adherence to prescribing guidelines among providers, decreasing demand for antibiotics by patients and increasing the adherence to prescribed antibiotics.

October has been proclaimed Disability Employment Awareness Month by Governor Haslam as events take place across the state to raise awareness of the talents and abilities of Tennessee citizens with disabilities. People with disabilities represent a segment of Tennessee’s workforce that possesses educational accomplishments, trained vocational skills, a commitment to do well, enthusiasm and the confidence needed to succeed in their careers.
Over the past year, the Department of Human Services (DHS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program has assisted more than 2,300 people reach successful employment, while also providing services to help others accomplish the same. The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), a division within DHS, provides rehabilitation and assistive services to Tennesseans ranging from traumatic brain injury and cognitive impairments to blindness.
Vocational rehabilitation offices across the state as well as the seventeen Tennessee Rehabilitation Centers located in rural communities and the residential comprehensive Tennessee Rehabilitation Center in Smyrna provide numerous services to clients, including vocational training, physical or occupational therapy and transitional life skills.
“At DHS, we work with and proudly serve many individuals living with disabilities across the state and their contributions should not be overlooked,” said DHS Commissioner Dr. Raquel Hatter. “Employers that recruit qualified employees with disabilities realize the benefits of the investment in these amazing individuals.”
State departments, agencies and community partners are working together to provide a system of services and supports for people with disabilities to help them reach their employment goals. One example of this combined effort was illustrated by the Employment First Task Force report recently released.
DHS staff members are working with businesses, partners and other state agencies across Tennessee on activities recognizing Disability Employment Awareness Month. For more information on vocational rehabilitation services, visit: http://www.tn.gov/humanservices/section/disability-services.
“My Disability Is One Part of Who I Am.” is the theme of the 2015 National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Learn more at: http://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/ndeam/
The Employment First Task Force report can be found at: http://www.tn.gov/assets/entities/didd/attachments/2015_Expect_Employmen…
 

Motlow College is hosting the exhibit, “The World of Minerals” inside the Clayton-Glass Library on the Moore County campus. The exhibit is presented by Richard Gross, a retired Motlow professor. While the minerals were gathered from all over the United States, many came from Tennessee. “The Elmwood mine in Carthage and the Cumberland mine in Gordonsville are the premier mineral specimen mines in Tennessee,” said Gross.
“A mineral is a naturally occurring solid inorganic substance that has a set chemical formula and an ordered atomic structure,” added Gross. “It is different from a rock, which can be an aggregate of minerals and does not have a specific chemical composition.”
The exhibit also includes geodes, which appear as plain rocks on the outside but contain crystals on the inside.
“The new mineral collection on display is a great addition to the library,” said Stuart Gaetjens, director of libraries at Motlow. “I expect the collection to be useful for geology and chemistry students, but interestingly an art class has already used photographs of some of the specimens for an assignment. The original rock and mineral display inside the library generates a lot of comments. I am sure this one will too.”
Gross taught college for 39 years, including 26 at Motlow and 13 at Palm Beach Junior College. At Motlow he taught biology, honor’s biology, microbiology, environmental science, geology and photography. He was also responsible for the development of the geology course and credit photography courses at Motlow.
Gross received various awards for his work as a teacher, including the Outstanding Conservation Educator Award from the Audubon Society of the Everglades, the Motlow College Development Council Teaching Excellence Award and the National Teaching Excellence Award from the University of Texas Study.
 

Get ready to “fall” in love again. Now that autumn is in the air, the vegetables you couldn’t get enough of in May and June are back on local farms and at area farmers markets. Alongside mounds of pumpkins and sweet potatoes, you’re liable to see baskets of the yellow squash, kale, cabbage and broccoli that were once only considered early crops. Tennessee experiences long temperate seasons on either end of summer, and modern farming know-how has shifted thinking. Produce no longer belongs to one of four seasons. Many vegetables are now referred to as simply cool weather or warm weather crops.
Vegetables long associated with spring or early summer, like carrots, parsnips, asparagus and Brussels sprouts grow in response to conditions, not to particular months. If those conditions can be replicated through protection from temperature extremes, they’ll grow as well or better deep into fall. In fact, some vegetables, like carrots, are actually sweeter when they reach maturity during colder weather. Instead of hurting, a little frost on the ground helps.
Growing seasons can be further extended with the help of hoop houses and other greenhouse-like frost protection measures, including canvas or plastic blankets to cover long, open air rows of cabbage, kale and lettuce.
Some local farms, particularly those with CSA options or those located near a year-round farmers market, extend their cool weather crops right through winter to meet the demands of customers who want to eat seasonally but crave a variety of vegetables.
The free Pick Tennessee mobile app from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture allows users to find local farms and farmers markets, then map the way from the user’s location. Discover fresh produce for any season with the Pick Tennessee mobile app or at www.PickTnProducts.org.

Cannon County residents might have a trash problem in the future if predictions come true and the Middle Point Landfill located in Rutherford County closes down like officials are saying.  Mac Nolen who is the director of the Rutherford County Solid Waste department, made a presentation during Saturday’s regular monthly meeting of the Cannon County Commissioners stated that the officials of the Middle Point Landfill announced that the landfill is expected to close by the year 2028.  That would leave Cannon and 18 other Middle Tennessee Counties with the problem of finding a place to permanently dump their garbage in.  Officials are busy looking for other solutions and hope to come up with some viable options to consider over the next couple of years.    Nolen says that the duration of the landfill permanently closing might be a little longer with emphasis of residents and commercial businesses recycling but another solution of finding a different spot to start a landfill will be necessary.  Either way Nolen cautions that the cost of collecting and hauling waste might increase once it gets closer to that date.  Cannon is expected to be kept up to date with this issue. Employee of the year awards were presented by the American Legion Post to the County Employees selected by their supervisors.  Angela Schwartz who works in the Property Assessor office was the County Executive’s Office Employee of the Year.  Bill Avera, who recently retired from the Cannon County Sheriff’s Department was the Deputy of the Year.  Jason Barrett was recognized as the EMT of the year.  Larry Powell was recognized as the Fire Fighter of the year, Jonathan Scurlock received the first responder of the year award.    and Joe Loftus, Outstanding Paramedic
In other actions of the Cannon County commissioners during their three hour meeting.  County Executive Mike Gannon was elected chairman and Brent Bush was elected chairman pro-tem.  
The Commission approved the recommendation of Shawn Harwood to the Industrial Development Board.  The Commission did not approve the recommendations to the Cannon County Audit Committee which were Sue Conley and Commissioner Jamie Holloway.  Some commissioners felt that there was a conflict of interest of Holloway serving on the Committee since he is a commissioner.  The two audit committee members who’s term comes up are Glenn Steakley who is currently a Cannon County Commissioner and Gary Hancock.  The motion failed by a 5-3 vote.  Holloway and Todd Hollandsworth were absent from the meeting.
The Commission also approved resolution 2015-9 which was a one year note for the Ambulance Service.  They also approved resolution 2015-10 which goes for the purchase of a truck for $75,000 for the Cannon County Rescue Squad truck.  The truck’s total cost is $120,000 but the Rescue Squad has come up with 40% of the costs and it was agreed that the Commission would fund the rest of the purchase.

The Hilton Stone American Legion Post 279 is truly honored topresent certificates of appreciation/ meritorious service, and
trophies to the outstanding County first responders and
outstanding employee selected by the County. American Legion Post 279
Adjutant, Brent Bush, read the citations. Executive Board Member,
Christine Barrett, read the Certificates of Meritorious Service.
Commander of Post 279, Charlie F. Harrell, presented the trophies to the
awardees.
The Awardees for 2015 are:
William H.(Bill) Avera, Outstanding Deputy in the
Sheriff’s Department; Larry Powell, Outstanding
Firefighter; Jonathan Scurlock, Outstanding Rescue
Responder; Jason Barrett, Outstanding Medical
Technician; Joe Loftus, Outstanding Paramedic; and Angela
Schwartz, Outstanding Employee. (SEE INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS).
The American Legion Post 279 partnered with the City of
Woodbury and Cannon County to insure that the Outstanding
people in our great City and County get proper recognition
for their truly outstanding job they do for our City and
County. No matter what profession or business you are in, we
normally don’t stop to thank our good employees, we just take
it for granite. When you recognize and reward your
outstanding employees, it inspires the other employees to go
that extra mile to get that same reward and recognition.
CONGRATULATIONS! To our outstanding County employees for 2015. WELL
DESERVED.

The final home game of the 2015 football season served to recognize the senior class band members, cheerleaders, managers and 10 Cannon County High School Lion football players. IT was definitely not a night that senior Austin Brock wants to remember.  With the Cannon County Lions marching down the field to try to keep from getting shut out against the Sequatchie County Indians, Brock took a hand off at the Indians four yard line and got hit hard by Sequatchie defenders.  As a result of that hit, Brock broke his ankle and his football season ended a game early.   Sequatchie stuffed the Lions running attack early in the game forcing the Lions to go through the air.  While Cannon County would find some success throwing the ball, the Lions never found the end zone in a 42-0 loss to the team out of Dunlap.  With the loss Cannon drops to 0-9 on the season and they will get the week off this week.  Final game of the season for the Lions is October 30th when they meet their rivals, Dekalb County.  Game time in Smithville at 7:00  

The final cruise-in of 2015 was held on October 10 as scheduled, following the Color of Fall Car Show, as the car show participants were leaving, cruisers were arriving on the square in Woodbury. The winner of the cruiser of the month award sponsored by Jennings Jewelers went to Alan Jakes driving a 1971 Chevy Chevelle SS custom made. DTC  sponsored a 32 inch TV and the lucky winner was Windol Tate, Mr. Wilcher won the quilt sponsored by Iron Pig Antique’s and a large number of toys were donated which will be used for the Cannon County Angel Tree Program at Christmas time. Thank you to
the Cannon County Cruise-in committee, The Cannon Courier, WBRY Radio, The Chamber of Commerce, Iron Pig Antiques, Jennings Jewelers, DTC, Purrfectly Pawlished Pet Salon, O’Reilly Auto Parts, The Blue Porch Restaurant, Freeze Racing, Auto Zone, S & S Auto Parts, Boyd’s Garage and The Cruisers for a great season, we hope to see you next year.
 

The Arts Center  will host a meet and greet informal story sharing event in Cannon Hall at the Arts Center, Tuesday, October 20th from 2:00PM to 4:00PM. We are hoping everyone who brought in family pictures will be able to join us. This event will mark the closing of the exhibit. Punch and cookies will be provided. The event is open the public.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN CANNON COUNTY SCHOOLS 
October 19-23—FALL BREAK
October 26—Border Wars Tournament at WGS
October 27—Border Wars Tournament at WGS
October 28—WBRY Spotlight on schools—featured school East Side Elementary, 8:00 a.m.
October 29—TSSAA Regional Cross Country Meet—Chattanooga
October 29—Border Wars Tournament at WGS
October 30—CCHS Football game at DeKalb Co., 7:00 p.m.
October 30—Border Wars Tournament finals at WGS