News 2015

The National State Auditors Association (NSAA) is recognizing the tremendous work of the Tennessee Comptroller’s Division of State Audit. The NSAA presented Comptroller Justin P. Wilson and State Audit Director Deborah Loveless with a 2015 Excellence in Accountability Award.
The award recognizes an effort by the Division of State Audit to improve communication between auditors and state agencies. The division created a “Guide to State Audits” which is now distributed at the beginning of every audit. This guide is acknowledged by NSAA as the special project of the year.
The Division of State Audit received the Excellence in Accountability Award at the NSAA Annual Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas.
“Communication between agency management and our auditors is vital to a successful audit,” Division of State Audit Director Deborah Loveless said. “We are pleased to be recognized for our work to improve Tennessee’s audit process.”
“The Comptroller’s Office stands ready to help state agencies as we fulfill our mission of making government work better,” Comptroller Justin P. Wilson said. “Audits are critical to effective government, and I’m proud of our staff for receiving this national award.”

State Troopers, Cannon County Sheriff Department Personnel, Members of the Woodbury Police Department and Warren County Sheriff’s Department, American Legion Post 279, State Representative Mark Pody, State Senator Mae Beavers and members of the Darby Prater family all gathered Saturday afternoon for the unveiling of the naming of the stretch of the four lane highway between Woodbury and the Warren County Line as the Ira Darby Prater Memorial Highway.  Mr. Prater was a Cannon County Sheriff’s Deputy who in January 1996 was killed while on duty in icy conditions.  Representative Pody mentioned in his comments that it’s almost the 20th anniversary of the incident.  Cannon County Commissioner Glenn Steakley gave a small speech at the ceremony as did Cannon County Sheriff Darryl Young who worked with Mr. Prater when Prater was a member of the Sheriff’s Department and Young was with the Woodbury Police Department.  Darby’s brother Shane Prater who is currently working with the Smyrna Police Department thanked all those that had a hand in the naming of the highway in honor of his brother.  The Cannon County Boy Scout Troop presented the colors at the ceremony.  

Cannon County Rescue Squad, Inc., in collaboration with the Cannon County Fire Departments, trained local citizens on fire extinguisher utilization and smoke detector installation on June 2nd.  The Rescue Squad was the recipient of grant from FM Global to promote home fire prevention and safety. 
During the Cannon County Good Ole Days, participants were registered into the program for a chance to win a home fire extinguisher and smoke detector.  Children and families that visited the Rescue Squad Mobile Command Trailer received safety reflective bracelets as well.
This was the first grant of this type targeted by the Rescue Squad to promote family safety.  The Squad is actively pursuing federal funding and private foundation grants to promote fire prevention and safety in Woodbury and Cannon County.  “We hope to be able to offer this program annually.  We not only want to be a response agency during times of emergencies and disasters, but we want to help our citizens promote Cannon County and be a safer place to live and work”, said Tim Bell Chief Operating Officer.
 
The U.S. has the fifteenth (15th) highest fire mortality rate of developed countries in the world.  Tennessee has the sixth (6th) highest fire mortality rate in the U.S.  Regionally, the southern states account for nine (9) of the ten (10) highest fire death rates in the country.  Tennessee children under five (5) years of age account for 8.3% of fire victims, however they only make up 6.4% of the population. 
 
According to a 2010 study by the U.S. Fire Administration, Tennessee ranks nearly two times higher than the national average for fire-related deaths.  Statistically, Tennessee experienced 101 fire related deaths per year (10 year average, 2005-2014).  This is an average of 1.06 deaths per county per year.
 
Michael Underhill, Cannon County Fire Chief and Rescue Squad CEO said, “If we can get citizens to properly install smoke/carbon monoxide detectors in their home, we will decrease deaths related to home fires.  Working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers have proven to save lives in residential fires.” In a statement about the grant, Woodbury Fire Chief Joe Loftus said, “This was a great opportunity for the fire departments and the Rescue Squad to work together on public safety.  We are partners in response, and now we are partners in community outreach education. We are working together as a group to offer more programs in the community.”
   
For more information on becoming a volunteer responder with the Cannon County Rescue Squad, Inc., visit our website at www.CannonCountyRescue.com and contact Michael Underhill, CEO, at 615-904-5002 or by email at MUnderhill@CannonCountyRescue.com .
To follow us on Facebook, like our page: https://www.facebook.com/CannonCountyRescue .
To follow us on Instagram, like cannoncountyrescuesquad, #cannoncountyrescuesquad.
 
For more information on becoming a volunteer firefighter in your community, please contact Chief Underhill and he will put you in contact with the fire department administrative staff nearest your home.
 

Congresswoman Diane Black really believes constituents deserve a representative in Congress that is transparent, that listens to  concerns, and that answers  questions. That is why I am holding a TeleTown Hall on Monday night at 7 PM CST. In order to join the call, simply dial 877-229-8493 immediately before the scheduled start time. Then, when prompted, enter the participant passcode: 18578. She will kick off the call by giving an update on the latest developments in Congress, including the much-talked about trade promotion authority (TPA) legislation, and then the lines will be open to take people’s questions.  
Congresswoman Black supports TPA because she read the bill and she know that it empowers Congress to hold President Obama accountable for striking the best trade agreement possible.

The Tennessee Department of Education is proud to announce the finalists for the 2015-16 Tennessee Teacher of the Year Award. Gay Burger, the teacher of the year of the Upper Cumberland Division is amongst the nine finalists aof the elementary, middle, and high school educators from each Grand Division of the state. Ms. Burger teaches at the East Side School.  Grand Division winners in three divisions of West, Middle and East Tennessee and the Teacher of the Year will be selected from this group and announced this fall. “Teachers are the biggest factor in the success of our students, and it is an honor to celebrate educators that are helping their students grow,” Education Commissioner Candice McQueen said. “We celebrate these finalists, but also the thousands of dedicated educators across the state.”
These finalists will have the opportunity to join the commissioner’s Teacher Advisory Council. Members of this body will offer insight, feedback, and advice on issues that impact teachers across the state.
“Seeking feedback and advice from our Teacher of the Year finalists is a critical step in ensuring that we are learning from and listening to teachers from all regions of our state,” Commissioner McQueen said. Joining Ms. Burger as an area finalist is Kyle Prince teacher of the year in the Mid Cumberland division who teaches at Central Magnet School in Murfreesboro
The final winner will represent Tennessee in the National Teacher of the Year competition and is an ambassador for education throughout the year. To qualify, candidates must have been teaching full-time for at least five years, have a proven record of using creative, research-based teaching strategies resulting in measurable achievement, and be effective school and community leaders. A panel of professional educators from across the state scored applications to identify these finalists.

This is a big week for the Summer Reading Program!  Get out your note pads, your iPads, your electronic not taking device and keep reading.  Make notes about what you want to see and do at the library this week because we have something for everyone. Summer Reading Program signups continue during this third week of reading fun.  If you haven’t signed up, there is still time.  Come on in, get your program materials and start reading.  This year for children birth to 4 years and children 4 to 12 years the subject is Every Hero Has a Story.  For Teens, ages 12 to 17, the theme is Unmask.  The topic for adults, ages 18 and up, is Escape the Ordinary.  Every book counts toward the Summer Reading Program prizes.  Come into the library, sign up and start reading.  Don’t forget to pick up a calendar with all the Summer Reading Program events listed.
Through June and July there will be NO story time.  Story Time resumes in August.  Until then join the Summer Reading Program with your children.
Computer Class – MS Word
How to create a flyer.
Monday, June 15
6 p.m. @ Adams
Still trying to figure out how to publicize your family reunion?  Having a garage sale and want to get the word out in an eye catching way?  Frustrated with MS Word?  We have a class for you.  Monday, June 15, at 6 p.m. come to the library to learn how to make a flyer.  You’ve seen those great looking flyers around town and wondered, “How did they do that?”  Come to the library and we’ll tell you.
Tuesday Afternoon
Movie
June 16, 2:00 p.m.
to 3:30 p.m.
@ Adams
June 16 we have our second summer movie of the summer season.  Did I say it was FREE?  Well, it is.  Come to the Jennings Community Room to meet some new friends, visit with some old friends (quietly, of course) and enjoy a FREE movie on the big screen.  What’s the movie?  Come by or call the library to find out.  Due to licensing considerations, we can’t print the title in the paper, but it’s going to be great.
MUSIC HEROES
June 18
1 p.m. @ Adams
Song Writing Workshop
2 p.m. @ Adams
Sign up required
June 18, we have a Summer Reading Program event called Music with Mare & Nomad.  Meet in the Jennings Community Room for a musical event for all ages at 1 p.m.
Be sure to sign up for the song writing workshop at 2 p.m.  Mare and Nomad will teach a session to inspire you to write that song you know will be the next big hit.  2 p.m. @ Adams.
Don’t forget our ongoing program One Thousand Books before Kindergarten that continues all year.  If you have a child of pre-kindergarten age, stop by the circulation desk and sign up.  You’ll get a packet of materials to keep a record of your child’s progress as well as fun games and activities.  This will be a wonderful addition to your child’s memory book.  Someday your child will be astonished at all the books she read when she was little and too young to remember reading.
Family Story Time & Craft
Saturday, June 20
10:30 a.m. @ Adams
Join us for a summer-time family-time fun-time event.  Listen to a story and then make a craft.  Although the story and book are geared to the younger set, all family members are welcome to attend for family fun at the library.
Teen Pizza & Movie Event
Saturday, June 20
5 p.m. @ Adams
Teens – here is something just for you.  Want to see a movie?  Eat popcorn?  Hang out?  The library hears you.  Come to the Jennings Community Room for a movie selected just for you.  What will be showing?  Call or come to the library to find out.  Don’t miss this event just for you.
Summer is moving fast.  Don’t get left out.  Come to the library and sign up for Summer Reading to win prizes and have some fun.  You never know who you’ll meet in a book or what they’ll say to you that will stay with you a lifetime, or at least the summer.  Come join us today!
 

Investigators from The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Drug Investigation Division, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, and the Murfreesboro Police Department have obtained indictments for 22 individuals accused of being involved in a large-scale drug operation. Beginning in July 2014, the three agencies embarked on a cooperative, large-scale effort, involving numerous overtime hours and resources, to develop information related to the sale and distribution of heroin and cocaine throughout Middle Tennessee. Those implicated in the operation include the now former director of human resources in Wilson County, Christina Woodward, and those affiliated with two in-home care centers in Rutherford County. Ms. Keisha’s Kids was operated from the residence of Lakeisha Smith and Jamarr Kuilan. Angels Day Care was operated from a residence in which Eric Patton lived. The day care’s operator was not implicated in the case. Additionally, the investigation revealed Rawle Cecil Chapman and Latrisha Lashaun Chapman used their affiliation with Church Street New and Used Tires to distribute drugs.
Friday the three agencies, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, arrested many individuals and booked them into the Rutherford County Jail on a variety of bond amounts

Middle school students from across the region beginning to think about college and careers experienced a variety of MTSU offerings during the MT Sampler Camp June 8-12. Camp Director Nancy Stubblefield, an adviser in the College of Mass Communication, arranged for the more than 20 middle schoolers to taste segments of business, horse science, chemistry and physics, education, art and much more during the week long camp.
One three-pronged field trip off-campus June 9 included visits to MTSU aerospace facilities at Murfreesboro Airport just off Memorial Boulevard, the Horse Science Center and the Tennessee Miller Coliseum on West Thompson Lane and the MTSU Farm and Dairy on Guy James Road in Lascassas, Tennessee.
The June 22-26 MT Sampler Camp for high school students is full with 40 students registered.
To inquire about the 2016 MT Sampler Camp, look for information to become available at www.mtsu.edu/sampler or contact Stubblefield at Nancy.Stubblefield@mtsu.edu.
For now, she plans to hold one camp in 2016 that will be for rising eighth- through 11th-graders.
 

Saturday afternoon will be the official naming of the Hwy 70 between the Woodbury town line to the Warren County Line as the Ira Darby Prater Memorial Highway.  Ira Prater was a Cannon County Sheriff’s Deputy who was killed in 1996  after being involved in an accident while responding to a call. His patrol car left the road as the result of icy conditions. He  had graduated from the police academy the previous month.  A ceremony will be held in addition to the naming of the Highway.  The American Legion Post 279 will be involved.  State Representative Mark Pody and Senator Mae Beavers will be on hand to present the family with a State flag.  The ceremony will take place at the beginning of the 4 lane highway just past the Elkins Church of Christ on old Highway 70s about 5 miles out of town.

Victim rights advocates, prosecutors and law enforcement officials from across Tennessee Thursday gathered on the steps of the Capitol to celebrate Gov. Bill Haslam’s signing of the Victim Life Photo Bill into law. The legislation, passed with sweeping support during the recently completed legislative session, culminates a years-long effort by victim rights advocates, prosecutors and the law enforcement community to allow murder victims in Tennessee to have an appropriate presence during the trial of their accused killer.
“The Victim Life Photo Bill will right a wrong that many Tennesseans have long been unaware of,” said Verna Wyatt, co-founder and executive director of Tennessee Voices for Victims, a victim rights group that helped organize grassroots support for this and previous versions of the bill. “Because of this new law, murder victims in Tennessee will be able to have their faces shown in court as they looked before they were killed.”
“For decades, it was common practice for prosecutors to introduce into evidence a reasonable photo of the victim prior to her murder in addition to crime scene photos,” said Jennings H. Jones, District Attorney General for the 16th Judicial District which consists of Rutherford and Cannon Counties.  “For many years, trial judges would not allow the photo to be introduced, for fear that they would be overturned by a higher court.”
The bill’s passage and becoming law strengthens Tennessee’s Victim’s Bill of Rights, a constitutional amendment that guarantees victims the right to be present at all proceedings where the defendant has the right to be present. The amendment was overwhelmingly approved by Tennessee residents in 1998 by a count of 680,000 to 85,000.
“We appreciate the power of a single photograph, and it’s appropriate that we celebrated today’s victory with a photo on the Capitol steps,” said Joan Berry, president of HOPE for Victims, another victim rights group that coordinated support for the bill. “We’ve been working for so long to allow photos of murder victims to be shown in court. We’ve accomplished that. We’ve made sure that those who cannot speak for themselves are guaranteed the basic right to face their accused killers.”
To hear directly from family members of murder victims in Tennessee on the importance of the Victim Life Photo Bill, visit the Tennessee Voices for Victims YouTube channel at www.YouTube.com/TennesseeVoices.