News 2015

The Arts Center Of Cannon County Announces Auditions for the production School House Rock Live Jr will take place Sunday at 2:00 Performances May 5-16
Directed by Scarlett Turney
Musical Direction by Brittany Goodwin
Roles available for 3 girls and 3 guys ages 8-18. This show will be double cast. Please come prepared with sheet music for an uptempo song of about 16 bars and comfortable clothing for choreography. No CDs or MP3s please. There will be cold readings from the script. School House Rock is part of the Young at Art Series and will have weekday matinee performances. Students must be able to miss at least 3 days of school and have the schools permission to do so. For more information contact Scarlett Turney at scarlett.turney@gmail.com
 

Registration remains open for the first of two MTSU Spring Preview Days as MTSU admissions, enrollment and academic officials prepare for what will be one of the university’s largest preview days. More than 1,000 people have preregistered and are expected to attend the 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21, Spring Preview Day.
Spring Preview Day is the university’s signature open house for prospective students and their families. This campus visit program includes department presentations, opportunities to meet faculty and staff from academic areas and student affairs, and take campus tours.
The Science Building, which opened in August 2014, will be one of the featured facilities. Others will include Business and Aerospace Building, College of Education Building, James E. Walker Library and more.
To register for the preview day or for more information, visit http://www.mtsu.edu/schedule-a-visit/index.php. Click on “EXPLORE” and then “Schedule a Visit” to learn more about daily campus tours, group and self-guided tours, traveling (directions) to MTSU and to RSVP for special events including preview days.
Attendees will be able to visit the Student Services and Admission Center and MT One Stop, which sits across from the Student Union on Blue Raider Drive. It houses admissions, tours and records on the first floor. The second-floor MT One Stop handles student concerns regarding financial aid, scholarships, bills, scheduling, transcripts and more.
The second MTSU Spring Preview Day will be held Saturday, June 6.
To contact admissions, call 615-898-2111 or email admissions@mtsu.edu. For questions about tours, call 615-898-5670 or email tours@mtsu.edu.

Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Colonel Tracy Trott today announced that state troopers will increase visibility and traffic safety enforcement efforts during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday. The 48-hour traffic safety campaign will begin at 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, March 17 and conclude at midnight, Wednesday, March 18.“St. Patrick’s Day is traditionally a very festive holiday, and we want to remind motorists that drinking and driving will not be tolerated. State troopers will proactively enforce DUI laws to help prevent fatal crashes and save lives across Tennessee,” Colonel Trott said. “Seat belt safety is also a top priority. We will aggressively seek seat belt violators – another major cause of traffic fatalities – across the state,” he added.
Last year, four people were killed in vehicular crashes during the 48-hour St. Patty’s Day holiday period. One of the traffic fatalities occurred in an alcohol-related crash, while none of the four individuals killed were wearing safety restraints.
The THP arrested 54 individuals on suspicion of impaired driving and issued 416 seat belt citations statewide during last year’s St. Patty’s Day holiday period.
During this St. Patrick’s holiday, state troopers will utilize traffic enforcement tools, such as, sobriety and seat belt checkpoints, saturation patrols and bar and tavern checks to maximize public safety on Tennessee roadways.
To date, preliminary statistics indicate that 157 people have died on Tennessee roadways in 2015, compared to 171 traffic fatalities during the same time period in 2014.
THP scheduled enforcements for this St. Patrick’s Day holiday are attached, as well as statistical data for the 2014 St. Patrick’s Day period.
For more information on the consequences of impaired driving in Tennessee, visit http://tn.gov/safety/duioutline.htm.ST. PATRICK’S DAY DRIVING TIPS
·         Plan Ahead. If you plan to drink, arrange a safe way home before the festivities begin.
·         Before drinking, designate a sober driver and give that person your keys.
·         If you’re impaired, call a taxi, use public transportation, or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely.
·         Use the local Sober Ride program.
·         If you see a drunk driver on the road, promptly contact your local law enforcement agency or dial *THP (*847) from a mobile phone.
·         Remember, Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk. If you or someone who is about to ride with someone who is impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to their destination safely.
·         And remember, the tragedies and costs of driving drunk are serious and real. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for drunk driving are significant.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Governor’s Foundation for Health and Wellness CEO Rick Johnson, joined by representatives from nine cities and counties across the state, today launched Healthier Tennessee Communities, a coordinated initiative supporting physical activity, healthy eating and tobacco abstinence at the local level.  
The Governor’s Foundation for Health and Wellness has focused on developing and introducing effective tools for individuals, workplaces and faith congregations. Healthier Tennessee Communities takes a community-wide approach to improving Tennesseans’ health by engaging the local leaders of cities, towns, counties and neighborhoods. 
 
“Encouraging and recognizing community-led change is a critical part of improving the health and lives of Tennesseans,” Haslam said. “The foundation has worked with businesses, schools and faith organizations, and this program brings together leaders at the local level in a coordinated way to support Tennesseans making healthier choices.”
 
In Tennessee, one in four adults smokes, and one in five high school students uses tobacco. The rate of obesity has risen to almost 34 percent from only 10 percent in 1988. Type-2 diabetes and high blood pressure are at epidemic levels.
 
“Research has shown that we are much more likely to change our health-related behavior and establish healthy habits when we are encouraged and supported by others – when we are in community,” Johnson said.  “That’s why making health and wellness an integral part of life where you live – and with the people who surround you – can make such a positive difference.”
 
As part of Healthier Tennessee Communities, the foundation will provide guidance and regionally based support, and cities, towns, counties, or neighborhoods interested in becoming a Healthier Tennessee Community will be required to:
 
•        identify local wellness champions to lead the effort,
•        create a local wellness council that engages people in workplaces, schools and faith organizations,
•        initiate and sustain community-wide events and activities that support physical activity, healthy eating and tobacco abstinence,
•        and track and measure outputs and accomplishments of the program.
 
Decatur, Dyer, Loudon, McMinn and Rhea counties along with the cities of Franklin, Germantown, Kingsport and Tullahoma are currently piloting the Healthier Tennessee Communities program.
 
The foundation launched a statewide health awareness campaign in 2013, followed by Small Starts, a series of more than 60 personal health challenges for individuals; Small Starts @ Work, a wellness toolkit for use in workplaces; and Small Starts @ Worship, a wellness toolkit geared toward faith-based communities, enabling congregations to implement and sustain health and wellness programs. The foundation has also released a health and wellness app, Streaks for Small Starts, available for iOS and Android devices.
 
Cities and counties interested in becoming a Healthier Tennessee Community should contact the Governor’s Foundation for Health and Wellness at tennessee@healthierstate.org or (615) 610-1880. For more information on the program and other Healthier Tennessee initiatives, please visit www.healthiertn.com.
 
 

Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak warns Tennessee residents to avoid falling prey to scammers and phony tax preparers ahead of the April 15 Tax Day deadline.“Scammers and fraudulent tax preparers use the rush of tax season to prey on people by using fraudulent practices designed to steal money and personal information,” McPeak said. “Tennesseans should be vigilant in protecting their personal information during this time of the year by educating themselves before hiring someone to prepare their taxes.”
Unfortunately, when a fraudulent tax return is discovered, it’s the taxpayer, not the return preparer, who pays any additional taxes and interest and who may be subject to penalties. The best protection for taxpayers is a simple one: Do your homework.
To help taxpayers, TDCI’s Division of Consumer Affairs is sharing a checklist of questions and resources that taxpayers should consult before hiring a tax preparer.
Be alert to phone scams. Scams come in all shapes and sizes, but one frequent tax season scam involves consumers being targeted by callers claiming to be Internal Revenue Service agents and demanding payment. If consumers refuse to pay, they are threatened with arrest, among other tactics. Remember: The IRS will never call to demand immediate payment nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first mailing a bill.
Check them out. Tax returns can be created by anyone with a Preparer Tax Identification Number. Before hiring someone to prepare your taxes, check your tax preparer’s credentials by using either TDCI’s One Stop license verification database or the Internal Revenue Service’s Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers to check if your tax preparer has the training and proper licensure. Only attorneys, certified public accountants (CPAs) and enrolled agents can represent taxpayers for audits, collections and appeals. Ask to see if your tax preparer is a member of a professional organization.
No fees, please. Avoid preparers who base their fees on a percentage of the amount of the refund. Be careful of using tax preparers who claim they can obtain larger refunds than other preparers. Always make sure any refund due is sent to you or deposited into an account in your name. Under no circumstances should all or part of your refund be directly deposited into a tax preparer’s bank account.
Never sign a blank form.Whether you file tax returns electronically or by paper, never sign a blank tax return. Before signing your return, always review it with your tax preparer and ask questions. Make sure the return is accurate before you sign it.
Paperwork and questions. Good preparers will ask for your receipts and ask you multiple questions in order to determine if you qualify for expenses, deductions and other items. By asking you questions, a good tax preparer is trying to help you avoid penalties, interest or additional taxes.

On Saturday, April 18th, the BBB will host a national identity theft and fraud protection event in local communities across North America.  Bring your boxes or bags of paper documents that contain personal identifiers, and we’ll shred it for you FREE – on the spot.  We’ll also be distributing great tips and resources to help you protect your identity – online and off. 5 area locations will be held in Middle Tennessee.  The Nashville location (at Richards & Richards – info below) is unlimited in the quantity of paper goods that can be brought and shredded and businesses are welcome to bring large quantities.  Other locations are mobile Shred Trucks and are limited in the quantity that can be accommodated.
Nashville, TN
Time 9am – 1pm
Location Richards & Richards, 1741 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN
For this location  – there is NO LIMIT for the amount of paper materials
Shredding Services provided by Richards & Richards Office Records Management, Inc.
Cookeville, TN
Time – 10am – 1pm or till truck is full
Location – Cookeville Regional Medical Center
Corner of 6th & Cedar (Cancer Center Parking Lot)
Bring up to ten (10) boxes per person
Shredding Services provided by Sentry Shred
Franklin/Williamson County, TN
Time 9am – Noon or till truck is full
Location Lowe’s 3060 Mallory Lane, Franklin, TN
Shredding Services provided by Iron Mountain
Lawrenceburg, TN
Time – 8 AM – 11 AM
Location – Lawrence County Solid Waste
2126 Baler Drive, Lawrenceburg, TN
Bring up to ten (10) boxes per person
Shredding Services by: Lawrence County Solid Waste
Murfreesboro, TN
Time – 9am – 12 noon or till truck is full
Location – Lowe’s in Murfreesboro on Old Fort Parkway
Shredding Services provided by MaxShred

Female high school and college students are invited to jump-start their futures at MTSU as part of a celebration of National Women’s History Month. American Association of University Women in Murfreesboro and the organization’s MTSU student chapter will co-host a panel discussion, “Notes to My College Self: Advice for Navigating Your Path to Success,” from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 19, in Room 101 of the Sam Ingram Building, located at 2269 Middle Tennessee Blvd.
Panelists include:
Dr. Dawn McCormack, assistant dean of the MTSU College of Liberal Arts and a professor of history.
Dr. Ronda Henderson, associate professor, MTSU Department of Business Communication and Entrepreneurship.
Karen Alea Ford, an author and director of The Writer’s Loft, an MTSU creative writing certificate program,
Collier Andress Smith, a member of the Murfreesboro School Board
The panel will provide female high school and college students real-world advice on preparing for a career, facing gender bias in the workplace and understanding pay inequity, among other issues.
“Raising awareness of these issues and arming young women with facts and strategies to deal with these issues is an important step in breaking down these barriers to their future success,” said Dr. Ayne Cantrell, head of communications for AAUW of Murfreesboro and president-elect of AAUW of Tennessee.
This event is free and open to the public. A free public reception will follow the panel discussion.
For more information, contact Cantrell at acantrell@comcast.net

A Cannon County man was discovered to have failed to register his change of address with the sex offender registry after being arrested at Hardee’s recently.  According to Sheriff’s reports Joseph Patrick Dyer stated that he was arrested at Hardee’s last week after his girlfriend Tammy Murphy kicked him out of the car.  He stated he must have been drunker than what he was before she kicked him out.  Mr. Dyer stated that he lived with Ms. Murphy for about three weeks and he had not physically moved all his stuff in because he knew it would violate him being a registered sex offender.  After interviewing Ms. Murphy about the situation she stated that she was taking Mr. Dyer to apply for a job at Crane Interiors and he had taken a large amount of cold medicine and was acting stupid.  That’s when she pulled over and kicked him out of the car.   She stated that he told her he was living on the streets and had no where to go.  She also told investigators that he had not updated his information because he was afraid that they would hold him for something.  Ms. Murphy went on to say that she told him he needed to register because he was living at her house and that he told her he was not going to worry about it.  She stated that she would testify to this in court. Dyer was charged with failure to register as a sex offender change of address.

The much anticipated schedule of the 2015 Master Dairy Program has been released.  Farmers interested in becoming certified as a Master Dairy Producer will need to attend 2 of the 3 modules offered during 2015.  The Tennessee Dairy Producers Association annual meeting and educational classes counted for one module for those who have attended.  The second module this spring will be held at the TSU Nursery Research Center of March 16th from 10A-2P.  The cost for the course will be $25 and includes all materials as well as snacks and lunch.  It is anticipated that this certification will satisfy the educational requirements for those intending to apply for the 50 percent cost share through TAEP program.  For more information or to register please call the UT Extension Cannon County Office at 563-2554.  The TSU Nursery Research Centers is located at 472 Cadillac Lane McMinnville TN  

Following round after round of snow, freezing rain and arctic cold in many parts of the country, the American Red Cross has an urgent need for eligible blood and platelet donors to give now to help restock its shelves. 
March storms forced the cancellation of more than 200 blood drives, resulting in nearly 7,000 uncollected blood and platelet donations. This shortfall follows more than 26,400 uncollected blood and platelet donations in February due to severe weather across 27 states. In the Tennessee Valley Red Cross Blood Services Region, serving Middle Tennessee, Southern Kentucky and counties in Missouri and Illinois, approximately 115 blood drives were canceled, causing 3,544 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. Despite the weather, hospital patients still rely on transfusions.
 
“Blood products are being delivered to hospitals almost as quickly as they come in,” said Tim Ryerson, CEO of the Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region. “Donors who give now aren’t just restocking our shelves, they are making sure hope continues to be available for patients in need.”
 
When conditions allow for safe travel, the Red Cross urges donors of all blood types to make and keep appointments to help restock its shelves. Platelet donors, as well as blood donors with the most in-demand blood types – O negative, A negative and B negative – are particularly encouraged to give in the days and weeks to come to help replenish the blood supply.
 
Platelets help prevent massive blood loss and are a vital part of cancer and organ transplant treatments. With a shelf life of just five days, platelet donations are especially needed. Eligible donors with types O negative, A negative and B negative blood are encouraged to donate double red cells where available. During a double red cell donation, two units of red cells are collected while most of the plasma and platelets are returned to the donor.
 
To find a convenient donation opportunity and schedule an appointment, donors can download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
 Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
 
Bedford
Shelbyville
3/10/2015: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Shelbyville, 304 East Depot Street
3/18/2015: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Christian Care Center of Bedford, 835 Union Street
Cannon
Woodbury
3/19/2015: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Lions Club Building, 540 W Adams St.
Coffee
Manchester
3/23/2015: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Manchester Recreation Complex, 557 N. Woodland Street
Tullahoma
3/10/2015: 2:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., First Christian Church Annex Bldg, 201 NW Atlantic
3/20/2015: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Wal-Mart, 2111 N Jackson St
3/24/2015: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Motlow State Community College Lynchburg, 6015 Ledford Mill Rd
Warren
Mc Minnville
3/11/2015: 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., McMinnville Civic Center, 500 Garfield Street
Van Buren
Spencer
3/26/2015: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Church of Christ at Bethlehem, 5544 Old State Hwy 111
 How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
 About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.