News 2015

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has declared September 2015 as Campus Fire Safety Month to raise awareness among all Tennesseans about the need for fire safety in campus and off-campus occupancies.  September is nationally recognized as National Campus Fire Safety Month. Since 2005, more than 200 proclamations recognizing Campus Fire Safety Month have been signed by the nation’s governors as well as resolutions in the U.S. Congress. Throughout September, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is stressing the importance of campus fire safety.
“Instilling good fire-safety habits in young people today is crucial to helping prevent loss of life and property later on,” said Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Julie Mix McPeak. “We’re urging students and parents to choose fire-safe campus and off-campus housing in order to reduce the risk of potentially life-threatening situations.” 
From January 2000 through June 2015, at least 169 people have died in the U.S. in college-related fire fatalities with a majority of those fire deaths occurring in off-campus housing, according to information compiled by Campus Firewatch. In Tennessee, the last reported campus-related fire fatality occurred in 2005.
Campus-related fire deaths have common factors including a lack of automatic fire sprinklers, missing or disabled smoke alarms, careless smoking habits, and the misuse of alcohol — which impairs judgment and hampers evacuation efforts.
To help parents and students through the process of selecting fire-safe housing, the SFMO is offering a list of questions that parents and students should ask before moving in:
1. Are working smoke alarms installed? (Preferably in each bedroom, interconnected to sound all if any one detects smoke)
2. Are there at least two ways to exit your bedroom and your building?
3. Do the upper floors of the building have at least two interior stairways or a fire escape?
4. Is a sprinkler system installed and maintained?
5. Are the existing electrical outlets adequate for all of the appliances and equipment without the need for extension cords?
6. Are there “EXIT” signs in the building hallways to indicate accessible escape routes?
7. Does the building have a fire alarm system installed and maintained?
8. Has the building’s heating system been inspected recently (within the last year)?
9.  Is the building address clearly posted to allow emergency services to find it quickly in the event of an emergency?
10. Does the sprinkler system or fire alarm system send a signal to the local fire department or campus security?
 
– See more at: http://tn.gov/news/17548#sthash.MOJFnca5.dpuf
September is nationally recognized as National Campus Fire Safety Month. Since 2005, more than 200 proclamations recognizing Campus Fire Safety Month have been signed by the nation’s governors as well as resolutions in the U.S. Congress. Throughout September, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is stressing the importance of campus fire safety.
“Instilling good fire-safety habits in young people today is crucial to helping prevent loss of life and property later on,” said Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Julie Mix McPeak. “We’re urging students and parents to choose fire-safe campus and off-campus housing in order to reduce the risk of potentially life-threatening situations.”
From January 2000 through June 2015, at least 169 people have died in the U.S. in college-related fire fatalities with a majority of those fire deaths occurring in off-campus housing, according to information compiled by Campus Firewatch. In Tennessee, the last reported campus-related fire fatality occurred in 2005.
Campus-related fire deaths have common factors including a lack of automatic fire sprinklers, missing or disabled smoke alarms, careless smoking habits, and the misuse of alcohol — which impairs judgment and hampers evacuation efforts.
To help parents and students through the process of selecting fire-safe housing, the SFMO is offering a list of questions that parents and students should ask before moving in:
1. Are working smoke alarms installed? (Preferably in each bedroom, interconnected to sound all if any one detects smoke)
2. Are there at least two ways to exit your bedroom and your building?
3. Do the upper floors of the building have at least two interior stairways or a fire escape?
4. Is a sprinkler system installed and maintained?
5. Are the existing electrical outlets adequate for all of the appliances and equipment without the need for extension cords?
6. Are there “EXIT” signs in the building hallways to indicate accessible escape routes?
7. Does the building have a fire alarm system installed and maintained?
8. Has the building’s heating system been inspected recently (within the last year)?
9.  Is the building address clearly posted to allow emergency services to find it quickly in the event of an emergency?
10. Does the sprinkler system or fire alarm system send a signal to the local fire department or campus security?
 

MTSU will be closed Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of Labor Day. All business offices will be closed and no classes will be held that day. Offices will reopen at 8 a.m. and fall semester classes will resume at their normal times Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Labor-Day-closings Leading up to the holiday, weekend hours of operation for specific MTSU buildings and venues include: the Student Union, which will be open from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 5-6, and open from noon to midnight Sept. 7. For Student Union, Keathley University Center and James Union Building hours, visit www.mtsu.edu/mtunions/hours.php.
the James E. Walker Library, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 5 and closed Sept. 6-7. For the library’s hours of operation, visit http://library.mtsu.edu/hours.
the Campus Recreation Center, which will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 5,  2-6 p.m. Sept. 6 and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 7. For regular hours of operation, visit www.mtsu.edu/camprec/hours.php.
Student Health Services and the Campus Pharmacy, which will be closed Sept. 7. Both are located in the Student Health, Wellness and Recreation Center.
As for campus dining options, McCallie Dining Hall will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 5, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 6 and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 7. You can find more information about ARAMARK/MT Dining choices in Cyber Café and the Student Union during the holiday weekend at http://mtsu.campusdish.com.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is reminding haulers that anyone transporting livestock across state lines is subject to compliance checks under the federal Animal Disease Traceability rule. The rule, which went into effect in 2013, requires the identification of livestock being moved interstate. “The federal rule is an effective way to trace the movement of livestock in an animal disease event so that appropriate action can be taken to limit its spread,” state veterinarian Dr. Charles Hatcher said. “Our current vigilance for high path avian influenza is a perfect example of this. The rule only applies to livestock being moved interstate, but it’s important that farmers work with their local veterinarian to obtain proper documentation.”
The ADT rule requires all livestock, including cattle, equine, sheep and goats, swine and poultry, being moved interstate to be officially identified, unless specifically exempted. Livestock must be accompanied by an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection or other documentation, such as owner-shipper statements.
Brands, tattoos and brand registration can also be used as official identification when accepted by the shipping and receiving states. Back tags are accepted as an alternative to official ear tags for cattle moved directly to slaughter.
Animal health documentation is still required under certain circumstances for livestock being moved within Tennessee. Additionally, some states have documentation requirements that go beyond the federal rule. Producers should consult with their veterinarians to make sure that livestock that is transported complies with all regulations.
In order to help with compliance, TDA has implemented a user-friendly online system already adopted by 20 other states that allows private veterinarians to submit and access health papers electronically. Veterinarians interested in participating can contact the State Veterinarian’s office at 615-837-5120 or animal.health@tn.gov.
For more information, visit the USDA’s website concerning traceability or visit the Tennessee Department of Agriculture for details about Tennessee’s animal health programs.

Middle Tennessee State University will continue to underscore that organizers of private groups renting campus facilities for events must take all appropriate measures to ensure compliance to state and federal laws, a spokesman said Friday. Andrew Oppmann, MTSU’s vice president for marketing and communications, said the renewed emphasis comes after reports that a 2013 event held by a private group that rented the Tennessee Livestock Center on campus included a walking horse that was allegedly abused as part of its training.MTSU Wordmark
“MTSU does not condone the illegal or unethical treatment of any animal,” he added.
The livestock center and the Tennessee Miller Coliseum, located off campus on Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro, are among several facilities at MTSU that are available for rental by outside groups or organizations, Oppmann said.
“It is the responsibility of outside groups and organizations to ensure that any events staged in our leased facilities comply with state and federal laws, including those concerning the health and well-being of any animals exhibited and housed at MTSU facilities,” he said.
Oppmann said the April 2013 event, incorrectly billed by organizers as the “MTSU Walking for Education Horse Show,” was not organized or sanctioned by MTSU and did not benefit the university. “We asked the outside group who staged the event to remove any reference to the university in its materials,” he said.
“As home to the state’s largest equine science program, we remain a strong supporter of the horse industry and an advocate for the legal and ethical treatment of horses,” Oppmann said. “Part of the education we offer our students includes understanding how to show horses professionally, honestly and successfully.”

The Cannon County Lions and Grundy County Yellow Jacket football teams came into Friday night’s Region matchup winless in the early season and while both teams were hungry to get that first win, both were looking for something that would jumpstart the process.  That something could have very well been a sidelines call that left a lot of Cannon County fans scratching their heads.  On Cannon’s first possession of the game, the Lions were held to four downs and out.  However on fourth down and 11 at the Cannon 13, the logical thing would be to punt the ball away and get it out of deep  Lion territory.  However the Lions went for a fake punt and not only did it cost them precious field position, but two plays later after the fake punt was downed at the Lion 4 yard line, it was punched in for a touchdown.  Grundy was able to keep two steps ahead of Cannon County and pulled away in the fourth quarter for a final score of 37-14.  Cannon closed a 13-0 lead to 6 with a 12 yard touchdown strike from Brady Page to Bo Bryson.  Minutes later Grundy would score on a big run to stretch the lead 19-7.  The other score came in the third quarter when Jeremy Litchford scored on a five yard run. Cannon will now play Red Boiling Springs in Macon County next week.

Tonight’s high school football matchup between Cannon County and Grundy County marks the first time these two teams will meet as region opponents.   Just like Cannon County head coach TJ Daniel who prepped at Cannon County, Grundy County’s Casey Tate was a 1998 graduate of the school in Tracy City.  Both schools have had slow starts.  The Yellowjackets are 0-2 and have been outscored 84-12 in both contests.  Cannon County is also 0-2 and has been on the short end of a 100-14 two game total  including a 47-0 shutout to Jackson County last Friday.  The game is set for tonight in Coalmont TN starting at 7:00.  Our Football Friday coverage begins at 4:30 with the one hour local pregame Tailgate.  Then we move to the prep football guru Murphy Fair at 5:30, followed by the Friday Night Thunder crew highlighting various football matchups all across the middle Tennessee area at 6.  Our live broadcast will begin at 6:45 with the kickoff slated at 7:00.  You can hear the game live on AM-1540 WBRY,  107.9 Shine FM, through the website at wbry.com or on your smartphone and tablet through WBRY on the TuneIn Radio app .
 

The Cannon County Republican Party will meet in a special called meeting on Tuesday September 8th, 2015 at 6:00 PM at the Cannon County Courthouse.  
The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

A Cannon County man was arrested for contempt of court after he was found in the presence of a former domestic partner even though there was a court order against it.  According to sheriff’s department reports Caden Jones stated that he was involved in a argument with Norman Steed.  He stated that there was a court order that he couldn’t be around Steede.  Dispatch advised that the court order was in place until August 2016.  Sheriff’s Deputies made contact with Steede, who had been asleep.  He stated that there was an argument that occurred several hours ago.  Both Jones and Steede appeared to be very intoxicated and did not give clear statements about what had occurred. Jones stated the reason why he was there was because he had nowhere else to go and allegedly stated that he has been living at the residence despite the court order.  Jones was arrested for contempt of court and will appear in General Sessions Court to answer to the charge October 6th.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol will be conducting a Sobriety Checkpoint September 4, 2015 on State Route 146 in Cannon County. Impaired driving is a serious crime that kills more than 16,000 people and injures 305,000 others every year in the United States. Troopers will evaluate drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment. Troopers will target those who operate a vehicle while impaired and take corrective actions for other violations observed while ensuring the protection of all motorists.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol recognizes that sobriety checkpoints are highly visible and effective tools in the battle against impaired driving.

he Tennessee State Museum will hold an Artifact Discovery Day for the public to bring in personally-owned artifacts to be identified by experts on Saturday, September 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will take place near the Visitor’s Desk on Level D of the museum. The activity is being jointly sponsored by the Tennessee Division of Archaeology, whose archaeologists will conduct the sessions, and the State Museum. The artifacts will include Native American artifacts, both prehistoric and historic pieces, and fossils. Archaeologists will identify, but not appraise, the objects.
There is no charge for the identification. The event is being held in conjunction with September being named Tennessee Archaeology Awareness Month.
– See more at: http://tn.gov/news/17519#sthash.X2sooFEr.dpuf
The Tennessee State Museum will hold an Artifact Discovery Day for the public to bring in personally-owned artifacts to be identified by experts on Saturday, September 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will take place near the Visitor’s Desk on Level D of the museum.
The activity is being jointly sponsored by the Tennessee Division of Archaeology, whose archaeologists will conduct the sessions, and the State Museum. The artifacts will include Native American artifacts, both prehistoric and historic pieces, and fossils. Archaeologists will identify, but not appraise, the objects.
There is no charge for the identification. The event is being held in conjunction with September being named Tennessee Archaeology Awareness Month.