News 2015

Nissan is taking applications now for its Summer Engineering Program for high school students. The program offers a hands on learning experience to up to 30 sophomores and juniors from area high schools.  Working with Nissan engineers in Smyrna, students get to help resolve real workplace problems and see what it takes to run one of the largest automotive assembly plants in North America officials said.
The deadline to apply is April 17.
Students interested in the program should email mbst-smyrna@nissan-usa.com for more information

 Lascassas parents Norbert and Sondra Braunwalder wondered how they would memorialize their 13-year-old son, Clifton, on the first anniversary of his death. Clifton, a Boy Scout, was changing a flat tire on his mother’s car when he was struck and killed by a suspected impaired driver April 10, 2014 on Interstate 24 near Sam Ridley Parkway. A Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper charged the driver, who is in jail while awaiting trial.
Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office deputies asked the parents if they would participate in a DUI checkpoint in Clifton’s memory. The parents chose the first anniversary of his death as the day for the Clifton Braunwalder Memorial Sobriety Checkpoint. The checkpoint will be from 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at U.S. Highway 70 South (John Bragg Highway). The checkpoint is in partnership with the Governor’s Highway Safety Office.
“Clifton would have been deeply touched to have someone remember him,” said Sondra Braunwalder. “It’s a great tribute.”
Through the checkpoint, the Braunwalders want drivers to be educated about not only drinking and driving but not driving impaired by taking prescription drugs, pain killers and illegal drugs. These drugs may cause the driver to be sleepy and slow to react.
His parents don’t have any animosity toward the driver who struck Clifton.
“Clifton wouldn’t want us to hate her,” Sondra Braunwalder said. “We have to learn to go on.”
Tony Burnett of the Governor’s Highway Safety Office, said the checkpoint will send a strong message.
“Out of tragedy, you will send a strong message not to do certain things (driving impaired),” Burnett told the parents. “Your presence and a picture of your son at the checkpoint are better than any billboard or ticket. It really is effective for people to listen. ”
 

The Cannon County SAVE held an open house at their new shelter in March.  The event took several weeks of planning and many volunteer hours.  At the open house guests received tours of the facility and was informed about future plans for the agency.  When the Shelter is operational it will be able to provide emergency shelter for 16 victims of violence.  Once the showers are completed they will begin taking in domestic violence victims.  The plans are to be open by the end of this week.  The Cannon County SAVE staff, and Board of Directors would like to publicly thank the following:  The anonymous donor of the building Readyville FCE Melanie O’Neal
Bob Parks Reality
Stephanie Hendricks
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Horner
Jerusalem Cumberland Presbyterian Church (Grace Team)
Donald and Rosemary Corley
Daniel McFerrin
Marvin Corley
Ivy Bluff Church of Christ
Jan Hutchins and Patsy Paul
Larry and Wanda Parker
Iconium Church of Christ
Cannon County Jail (Ed Brown, Mandy Litchford, Roger Jett and their crews)
Murfreesboro Domestic Violence Agency
Woodbury Church of Christ
Crane Interiors
DTC Communications
Jeremy Abshire
Jeremy Parker
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Dunn
Kelsey Bush

At the March monthly Cannon County School Board meeting, students from Cannon County High School demonstrated the PAES® (Practical Assessment Exploration System) lab for those in attendance.The PAES® Lab provides a real-life work environment and teaches skills that will allow students to be better prepared for the work environment after they graduate.  Students that participated are as follows:  Quintin Ashford, Haley Sissom, Michalia Mooneyham and Kammie Brewer.

The Cannon County Sheriff’s Department warns people of a woman who solicits customers in parking lots of department stores in the area bullying people for money.  According to a news release Barbara Sue Nichols who now is going by the name of Angie Markum is soliciting customers in the parking lots of the Dollar General Market and also the Rutherford Blvd Walmart location in Murfreesboro asking for money.  She lives in Woodbury but will walk in the parking lots of both stores looking for Cannon County tags on vehicles.  She has gone to the extension of pushing and shoving women bullying for money.  She is well known in the Woodbury area to solicit house owners for money.  If you are a victim of harassment by this woman, please contact the Cannon County Sheriff’s Department at 563-1000.  

Will there be a change in the Cannon County Administrator of Elections position for 2015-2017? That issue is scheduled to be discussed at the next Cannon County Election Commission meeting Monday April 13th.  However some people may be confused on how that process works.  Jim Gibbs chairman of the Cannon County Republican party states that because of the number of calls fielded by members of the party suggest that there are those that believe the possible change in administration is the responsibility of the party.  The matter of nominations of the Cannon County Administrator of Elections for the years 2015-2017 will be accepted from the floor at Monday’s meeting is on the official agenda of the meeting however neither the Republican nor the Democratic parties of Cannon County are responsible for making those decisions and nominations.  Those responsibilites lie with the Election Commission themselves as they will be the ones making the nominations for the position in the first place.  With this controversial issue up for discussion, Monday’s meeting should be well attended.  For more items on the official agenda submitted by the Election Office to WBRY radio please refer to the agenda placed on the wbry.com website on March 31st.

April is poetry month as well as financial literacy month, and the Cannon County libraries has activities for both.  Bring in 2 of your poems by April 13 to be anonymously posted for patrons to select the top three.  Prizes will be awarded for the top three poems.  Don’t forget to pick up an entry and Win a Trip to Paris.  That’s right, Paris, France, not Paris, Tennessee.  Mail in your entry to the Adams Memorial Library before the deadline and you may be the lucky winner of a wonderful trip.  

 In recognition of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, AAA is warning drivers to avoid any activities that divert attention from the primary driving task. Any distractions could endanger a driver, passengers, or others sharing the road, such as bicyclists or pedestrians. In a recent AAA survey among registered voters in The Auto Club Group territory (general population in North Dakota), their number one concern in regards to keeping the roadways safer was Distracted Driving (78%) followed by Impaired Driving (73%) and Aggressive Drivers (63%).
“While we’ve made substantial progress in the past few years by raising awareness about risky driving behaviors, the simple fact is that distraction continues to be a significant contributing factor to deaths and injuries on our roadways,” said AAA Traffic Safety manager, John Pecchio. “We all should take personal responsibility for focusing on driving rather than on dangerous distractions.”
Distractions are responsible for vehicle crashes leading to an estimated 3,154 deaths and 424,000 injuries in police-reported crashes in which one form of distraction was noted on the crash report in 2013, according to the most recent data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Driving distractions come in all forms. A few examples are:
The use of electronic devices are among the most well-known and common sources of distraction for drivers. Text messaging behind the wheel is one of the riskiest things a driver can do as it involves manual, visual, and mental distraction simultaneously. Any kind of cell phone use can be risky. There is a public misperception that using a hands-free cell phone reduces risk but research states otherwise.  “The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety completed groundbreaking research last year finding that mental distraction by itself dangerously affects drivers behind the wheel,” said Pecchio.  “The research showed that hands-free features, increasingly common in new vehicles, are actually among the most mentally distracting. Just because a drivers’ eyes are on the road and hands are on the wheel does not mean that they are safely focusing on driving.”
Here are AAA’s top 10 tips to avoid distractions while driving
10. Fully focus on driving: Do not let anything divert your attention. Actively scan the road, use your mirrors and watch out for pedestrians and cyclists.
09. Store loose gear: Possessions and other distractions could roll around in the car and you won’t feel tempted to reach for them on the floor or the seat.
08. Make adjustments before your drive: Address vehicle systems like your GPS, seats, mirrors, climate controls and sound systems before hitting the road. Decide on your route and check traffic conditions ahead of time.
07. Finish dressing and personal grooming at home: Before you get on the road.
06. Snack smart: If possible, eat meals or snacks before or after your trip, not while driving. On the road, avoid messy foods that can be difficult to manage.
05. Secure children and pets before getting underway: If they need your attention, pull off the road safely to care for them. Reaching into the backseat can cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
04. Don’t use cell phones while driving: Handheld or hands-free – except in absolute emergencies. Never use text messaging, email functions, video games or the internet with a wireless device, including those built into the vehicle, while driving.
03. Ask for help: If you have passengers, enlist their help so you can focus safely on driving.
02. Pull over: If another activity demands your attention, instead of trying to attempt it while driving, pull off the road and stop your vehicle in a safe place. To avoid temptation, power down or stow devices before heading out.
01. As a general rule, if you cannot devote your full attention to driving because of some other activity, it’s a distraction. Take care of it before or after your trip, not while behind the wheel.
 

The Woodbury Aldermen will have several upcoming events to approve use of various town facilities for approval during tonight’s regular monthly meeting of the Woodbury Mayor and Board.  On the agenda will be to consider approval of the Cannon County Good Ole Days Parade May 16th.  Consider approval of Cannon County Good Ole Days 5K Run May 16th.  Patti Chappel will come before the board to seek approval of Dillon Park for the Summer Reading Program.  The Woodbury Nursing Center will seek approval for a block party on May 7th. Other items on the agenda include a consideration of approval for a one year leave of absence for City Judge Richard Northcutt.  Consisder appointment of interim city judge and Mr. Tim Bell with the Cannon County Rescue Squad will address the board.  The meeting starts tonight at 7:00 at the Nolan Dude Northcutt Building formerly known as City Hall.

The Auburntown Historical Society has announce their next meeting will take place April 16th at 7:00 at the Auburntown Church of Christ Fellowship Hall.  Mary Hughes will present the kindred connection between Auburntown families.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  For more information contact 615-464-4789