Suicides Claim Too Many In Tennessee

In 2013, intentional self-harm was the tenth leading cause of death in Tennessee, a ranking that mirrors U.S. and international cause of death rankings. According to data from the Tennessee Department of Health’s Vital Records office, a total of 1,017 people in Tennessee committed suicide that year. Statistics point out disparities in Tennessee’s diverse population and the need to understand suicide warning signs and the actions required to prevent loss of life.“Suicide is painful, and the pain of this tragic and preventable cause of death not only has obvious impacts to individuals and their families but also to friends, acquaintances and whole communities,” said TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH. “A suicide can also have impact through the years on family members who never met the person whose life was ended.”
While the suicides in 2013 reflect an overall rate of 15.7 per 100,000 people in Tennessee, that’s only part of the story. The data show more men than women and more whites than non-whites take their own lives. The most common profile of a person who commits suicide is a white male between 30 and 64 years of age. The data also show the rate of suicides fluctuates each year; the 2013 deaths were up from the 15.1 per 100,000 rate in 2009.
“Each of us can get better at spotting warning signs of suicide; it is preventable and as serious as a heart attack,” said Dreyzehner. “Take the risk factors seriously and ask, very simply and clearly, ‘Are you suicidal?’ If the answer is ‘yes’, get help, offer hope and alternatives, stay with the person and get assistance from family, friends and most importantly, from professional crisis intervention specialists. For immediate assistance, don’t hesitate to call 911.”
Professional crisis intervention specialists can be reached by calling the Tennessee Toll-Free Statewide Crisis Telephone Line, 1-855-Crisis1, which is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These services and immediate assistance can also be received by calling 911.
“We know untreated depression is one of the primary causes for suicides,” said Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner E. Douglas Varney.  “It can be hard to recognize the warning signs that a person may attempt to take his or her own life. Additionally, many times people may not know there is help for someone dealing with depression or stress. It’s important to understand you are not alone; there are many individuals and organizations that can provide direction and assistance for you, a friend or family member.”
Common suicide warning signs include feeling hopeless or helpless; being sad or depressed most of the time; experiencing strong anger; talking or writing about death; withdrawing from family and friends; acting impulsively; losing interest in previously enjoyed activities; abusing alcohol and/or drugs; not doing well at work or school; reckless behavior; writing a will; and experiencing a change in eating and/or sleeping habits.
Tennessee’s suicide rate of 15.7 in 2013 compares with 12.6 for the United States that same year. Other suicide rates in Tennessee per 100,000 in 2013 were:

30.3 for white males

10.1 for black males

7.1 for white females

1.0 for black females
Suicide rates per 100,000 people for age groups in Tennessee in 2013:

1.9 for 10 to 14 years

9.5 for 15 to 17 years

14.3 for 20 to 24 years

14.5 for 25 to 29 years

19.5 for 30 to 34 years

22.0 for 35 to 44 years

22.6 for 45 to 54 years

22.4 for 55 to 64 years

19.2 for 65 to 74 years

20.6 for 75 to 84 years
“Healthcare professionals and counselors can often find a remedy to help people cope effectively with life’s challenges,” Dreyzehner said. “Sometimes that involves medicine; sometimes it’s conversation. The important thing is to know there are people who care and are able to help.”
Suicide.org is a non-profit organization and website that maintains a list of additional state and national resources to help those with questions. A list of toll-free telephone numbers for assistance and services in Tennessee may be found at www.suicide.org/hotlines/tennessee-suicide-hotlines.html or by calling 1-800-SUICIDE.

MTSU Professor Featured At Archaeology Group’s Meeting

An MTSU professor will be the featured speaker at the inaugural meeting of a recently formed archaeology group. The opening meeting of the new Rutherford County Archaeological Society will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at the Heritage Center, 225 W. College St., in downtown Murfreesboro. MTSU’s Dr. Tanya M. Peres will give a special presentation entitled “Prehistory Beneath Our Feet: Doing Archaeology in Rutherford County, Tennessee.” Peres is director of the Rutherford County Archaeology Research Program and an associate professor of anthropology at Middle Tennessee State University.
“We’re open to anyone interested in archaeology,” archaeologist Laura Fyock Bartel, founder of the group, told wgnsradio.com “Our focus is on the archaeology and cultural heritage of the county, as well as archaeological and anthropological topics in general.”
Bartel is a Murfreesboro resident and anthropology instructor at Motlow State Community College.
According to wgnsradio.com Peres will provide an overview of archaeology in Rutherford County, discuss two recently identified prehistoric archaeological sites, including one in Murfreesboro, and share how the public can get involved in order to help document the county’s ancient past before it is lost to growth and development.
For more information on the Rutherford County Archaeological Society, go to facebook.com/groups/RCAS.TN or contact Laura Bartel at lbanthro@gmail.com

State Fire Marshall’s Office Reports On Manufactured Housing Fires

Manufactured houses are the scenes of relatively few fires every year in Tennessee, but those fires are among the deadliest, causing a disproportionate number of fire-related deaths.Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office officials are urging residents of manufactured homes – also known as mobile homes or trailers – to practice fire safety all year round. Currently, Tennessee has more than 250,000 manufactured homes.
According to the Tennessee Fire Incident Reporting System (TFIRS ), fire departments responded to 1,969 fires in manufactured homes during 2009-2013. Those fires killed 64, injured 71 civilians and caused $32.9 million in direct property damage. While manufactured housing accounted for only 5.25 percent of all total structure fires during that period, fires in manufactured housing caused 14.58 percent of all structure fire deaths.
 “Fires move quicker in smaller spaces, leaving occupants with less time to escape. This is why it is crucial to have working smoke alarms installed in all homes,” said Tennessee Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “Be prepared and have a plan of escape. And make sure you have working smoke alarms in your home.”
If you’re buying or renting a manufactured home, make sure you keep fire safety in mind. By following a few tips and knowing the facts and safety requirements for manufactured homes, you can help keep your family safe.
Keep gasoline, charcoal lighter and other flammable liquids locked in an outdoor shed. Never store items under your manufactured home. Store firewood away from the home.
Install skirting material to keep leaves and other debris and combustible items from blowing under your manufactured home where it could easily catch fire and spread into the home.
Be sure your manufactured home has enough smoke alarms. If your home does not have smoke alarms in or near every sleeping room and in or near the family/living area(s), immediately insteall new alarms and fresh batteries to protect these rooms.
For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
Have a home fire escape plan that includes two ways out of every room and an outside meeting place. Make sure all ways out of the home are cleared of clutter and easy to use. Practice your fire escape plan with every member of the household at least twice a year.
If smoke alarms sound often when cooking, consider moving the alarm further from the kitchen area or install a photoelectric type alarm which is less sensitive to cooking.
If your smoke alarms is older than 10 years, replace it, as its lifespan has been exceeded.
Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
Consider having a licensed electrician inspect the electrical system in your manufactured home to be sure it is safe and meets applicable National Electrical Code requirements.
Never add too many plugs to outlets, extension cords or electrical circuits. If the circuit breaker trips or fuses blow, call a licenesed electrician to check your system.
Have smokers smoke outside the home. Provide large, non-tip ashtrays and empty them frequently. Douse cigarette butts with water before throwing them away.

Youth Baseball Signups Today

Cannon County Youth Baseball and Softball Sign-Ups are underway!League members will be at Cannon County High School Gym,  Sat January, 24th and Sat. January 31st from 9:00am-5:00pm.
You must bring a copy of the child’s birth certificate.
You can also sign up online with a link on the website at cannon county baseball.org

Lions Keep January Undefeated Record Going…Barely

The undefeated streak of the Cannon County Lions during the month of January almost came to a screeching halt Friday night in Carthage at Smith County High School.  The Owls looking for their fourth consecutive victory against District 8-AA opponents hung with the Lions and never let them do anything that would get them a big lead and run away with the game like they’ve done in the past three games.  After slugging it out for three quarters and remaining in the game, the Owls would get a small cushion of a lead thanks to several turnovers by the Lions but Cannon would fire right back.  Cannon was able to clinch the game late in the fourth quarter thanks to a couple of missed crucial free throws by Smith County that would’ve tied the game with 20 seconds left.  Josh Reuhlan gave the Lions a four point lead on the next possession after Smith was forced to foul  Reuhlan knocked down two free throws and Cannon stayed one step ahead to win the game 54-51.  Reuhlan had a game high 22 points to lead Cannon.  The Lions improved to 20-5 overall and 9-1 in district play. The last time the Cannon County Lionettes met the Lady Owls of Smith County, Cannon County blew a 9 point lead with two minutes left and lost to the Lady Owls.  Friday night the Lady Owls didn’t allow Cannon that luxury of ever getting a big lead as Callie Hackett knocked down a game high 29 for the Smith County team.  The game was close through two quarters as Smith took a 36-34 lead into the locker room but then Cannon got off to a slow start in the third and was outscored 22 to 7. That was the deciding factor in the game as Cannon outscored Smith 14 to 10 in the final frame.  The Lionettes lost 68-55.  Autumn King led the Cannon County team with 22 points.  The Lionettes dropped to 17-7 overall 4-6 district play.  Next up for the Cannon County teams will be a home game vs York Institute Tuesday night.
 

United Way Grant Letter Of Intent Application Now Available For Qualifying Non Profit Agencies

The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties has announced that the letter of intent application is available for local nonprofit agencies who are interested in the Community Impact Grant program. Programs must align with the mission of United Way and demonstrate measurable outcomes that impact the areas of education, health, or financial stability. 
The purpose of the Community Impact Grant program is to provide assistance to those 501(c)3 agencies who are not current partners of United Way, but whose priorities align with United Way’s community impact focus areas.
United Way’s Community Impact Committee composed of various business and community leaders and volunteers, will review the letters of intent, and invite programs that most closely align with United Way’s mission to apply for a Community Impact Grant.  
Letter of Intent applications are available at www.yourlocaluw.org/letter-intent and are due by February 6, 2015. Letter of intent submission does not result in a guarantee to be invited to apply for a grant. Applying organizations must possess a 501(C)3 IRS status.
For questions, please contact United Way at (615) 893-7303.

Woodbury Grammar School Announces Nine Week Honors

Woodbury Grammar School Principal Rick Meacham announces the Principal’s List, Honor Roll, and Perfect Attendance award winners for the second nine-week grading period.Woodbury Grammar SchoolSecond Nine-Week Honors 2014-2015 Mr. Todd’s Eighth Grade
Principal’s List
Belle Russell, Reece Smith
 
Honor Roll
Addison Higgins, Jacob Carlton, Courtney Davenport
 
Perfect Attendance
Ashley Hurley, Michael McCord
 
 Mrs. Crystal’s Eighth Grade
Principal’s List
Elizabeth House, Rachelle Weddington
 
 
 
Honor Roll
Malea Franklin, Tori Knox, Olivia Walkup, Jesse Sanders, Rachelle Mayfield, Caitlin Leath, Collin Rudisill
 
Perfect Attendance
Tori Knox, Kodi Passenger
 
 Mr. Davis’ Seventh Grade
Honor’s Roll
Anthony Carr, Libbie Cook, Matthew Elmy, Abbye Moore, Jacob Parton, Michael Pratt, Ling Zhao
 
Perfect Attendance
Anthony Carr, Matthew Elmy, Blake Wimberly, Levi Womack
 
 Mrs. Britney’s Seventh Grade
Principal’s List
Aidan Davis, Collin Reed
 
Honor Roll
Sarah Banks, Kendra Brown, Parker Bush, Jesse Floyd, Isabel Haley, Ian Harwood, Kristen Knox, Brianna Pittard, Katie Smotherman
 
Perfect Attendance
Sarah Banks, Aidan Davis, Jesse Floyd, Emily Hollis, Spencer Schoen, Kyle Todd
 
 Mrs. Shannon’s Sixth Grade
Principal’s List
Hannah Higgins, Lauren Knox, Abbey Smith
 
Honor Roll
Cody Baird, Ashlee Hill, Shevi Patterson, Riley Sissom, Maleah Millner
 
Perfect Attendance
Britain Brown, Hunter Graves,
 Mr. Smith’s Sixth Grade
Honor Roll
Logan Banks, Blake Bond, Travis Carr, Sierra Puffenbarger, Tyler Sissom, Byron Sonderman, Zach Talley
 
Perfect Attendance
Ade Harwood, Tanner Young
 
 Dr. Odom’s Fifth Grade
Principal’s List
Emma Haley, Emily Morris, Amber Yancy
 
Honor Roll
Keenan Bain, Lexus Barnett, Malli Chiles, Hagen Fann, Jackson Thomas
 
Perfect Attendance
Lexus Barnett, Colton Placek, Kayla Murin
 
 Mr. Parker’s Fifth Grade
Principal’s List
Autumn Barrett, Emily House
 
Honor Roll
McKenzie Bond, Abby Butner, Emily Dearmond, Brittany Dilts, Eric Foster, Alexis Garza, Kelsey Hayes, Nolan Lovvorn, Addison Todd
 
Perfect Attendance
Mckenzie Bond, Addison Todd,
 
 Ms. Mathis’ Fourth Grade
Principal’s List
Anaston Holt, Gunter Pitts
 
Honor Roll
Bryson Blasingame, Austin Ferrell, James Hawkins, Sarah Hayes, Kierra Lindeman, Jake Vallejos
 
Perfect Attendance
Joseph Cornelison, Austin Ferrell, Anaston Holt, Dustin Johnson, Kylie Lindeman, Kierra Lindeman, Bradley Passenger
 
 Mr. Brandon’s Fourth Grade
Principal’s List
Hayden Arnold, Cadee Davis
 
Honor Roll
Raven Gillis, Kendall Hedrick, Kayla Bly, Hunter Matthews, Mason Tramel, Sahara McCollum
 
Perfect Attendance
Alexis Sissom, Raven Gillis, Aiden Moore
 
 
 Ms. Wade’s Third Grade
Principal’s List
Audrey Baird, Kyra Davis, Madison Garza, Jillian Claire Jakoby, Savannah Porter, Tyler Reynolds, Addison Shirley, Nancy Caroline Thomas, Kendra Thomas
 
Honor Roll
Garrett Anderson, Alexia McPeak
 
Perfect Attendance
Kyra Davis, Madison Garza, Jillian Claire Jakoby, Tucker Kyne, Logan McNulty, Tyler Reynolds, Nathan Sizemore
 
 Ms. Killian’s Third Grade
Principal’s List
Halie Burgess, Lacey Foster, Danielle LaFever, Jessie Melton, Chloe Parker, Raena Smith
 
Honor Roll
William Davis, Trenton Ferrell, Emily Filyaw, Dezaray Grizzle, Matthew Harris, Randall Marshall, KileeMcElyea, Brooklyn Porter, Sawyer Porter, Andrew Underwood, Norah Walkup
 
Perfect Attendance
Lacey Foster, Jillian Jacoby, Jesse Melton, Brooklyn Porter,
 
 Mrs. Foster’s Second Grade
Principal’s List
Jacob Blount, Izabella Harris, AnnaleeHibdon, Kolby Miller, Madalynn Sadler
 
Honor Roll
Zoey Bogle, Cadence Haywood, J.C. Frye, Christan Gallegos, Andre Gentry, Jaden Moulder, Caleb Young
 
Perfect Attendance
Christan Gallegos, EmmeSilcox, Harley Sissom
 Mrs. Gannon’s Second Grade
Principal’s List
Georgia Hawkins, Julianne Hodge, Kaden Mowl, Elizabeth Rowell
 
Honor Roll
Isaiah Bogle, Ava Hayes, Kolton Hedrick, Katie Kyne, MadiLeath, Emma Thomas, Anna Lara, LilyBellWimberly, Elijah Young
 
Perfect Attendance
Isaiah Bogle, Georgia Hawkins, Katie Kyne, Emma Thomas
 
 
 Mrs. Jessica’s First Grade
Perfect Attendance
Jartaevis Floyd
 
 Mrs. Holly’s Kindergarten
Perfect Attendance
Julie Gallegos, Ainsley Moore, Emma Reynolds
 
 Mrs. Alysia’s Kindergarten
Perfect Attendance
Benjamin McGee, Ayden Placek

Bike Stolen From Joe Blanton Road Residence

A Cannon County man reported a motorcycle theft this past Saturday.  According to Cannon County Sheriff Department reports, Brent Beasley of Joe Blanton Road stated that his 1987 Harley Davidson PXS motorcycle was in a storage shed behind his house.  Mr. Beasley told Sheriff’s Deputies that the last time he had seen the bike was earlier that day when he went into the shed to get saddles for horseback riding.  When he got home that evening he went to put the saddles up and that’s when he noticed that the long master lock that he had secured the shed doors with was missing.  When Mr. Beasley opened the door he found that the motorcycle was gone.  The motorcycle is very recognizable due to numerous chrome accessories that had “Old No. 7” on them.  He stated that the mirrors were round and that the motorcycle only had front turn signals.  He then stated that the frame came to a “V” under the seat and that not many of the Harley Davidson motorcycles did so.  If anyone has information about this stolen motorcycle they are encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Department at 563-4322

Chamber Banquet Thursday Night

The Cannon County Chamber of Commerce and Industrial Development Board of Cannon County will hold their banquet Thursday evening at the Arts Center beginning at 6:00.   Chamber members as well as Cannon County Industry plus County and City officials have been invited to attend the mix and mingle event, enjoy the array of food catered by The Blue Porch Restaurant and find out what the chamber and the IDB have been doing.  For more information about the event contact the Chamber at 563-2222 or email cannontn@dtccom.net
 

Stay Warm This Winter With The Right Firewood

Burning firewood is a good option to keep your home warm through the winter months. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture advises consumers to consider the type of wood, its origin and quantity before making that purchase.“Firewood is sold all over the state by vendors operating at varying levels – from large-volume vendors selling to commercial retailers like grocery and convenience stores, to smaller mom and pop operations selling firewood along the roadside,” said Jere Jeter, State Forester and Assistant Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry. “It is in the consumers’ best interest to educate themselves to make sure they get the best product for their money.” 
Wood varieties burn differently and produce differing amounts of heat. For example, oak burns more slowly and produces less smoke compared to pine. Determine the type of wood that will best serve your needs.
Ask retailers about the seasoning of the wood. Seasoning is the process by which wood is dried and typically takes nine months. Firewood that has not been properly seasoned will produce less heat, may burn poorly and create unnecessary soot and smoke.  Soot buildup over time in chimney flues can create a fire hazard, so inspect your chimney at least once a year to be safe.
Consider the origin of the wood. Wood from other states may transport invasive insects into Tennessee. Likewise, wood from some regions of the state may already be infested, and moving that wood can allow the damaging insect or disease populations to spread. Consumers can help avoid potential problems by purchasing firewood that was harvested near where it will be burned.
“The Emerald Ash Borer and Thousand Cankers Disease are two examples of invasives that have devastated many native hardwood trees in the U.S. as a result of the transportation of infested wood products,” Jeter said. “We continue to survey for both EAB and TCD since their discovery in Tennessee. We want to encourage all consumers to help slow the spread of invasive insects and diseases that affect the health of our forests.  Simply put, obey firewood quarantines and buy where you will burn.”
The last factor to consider when buying firewood is the quantity. Firewood has its own unit of measurement called a cord. Firewood must be sold by the cord or fractions starting at 1/8 of a cord. A cord of wood by law must equal 128 cubic feet. Be wary of terms such as face cord, rack, rick, tier, pile or truck-load, as these terms are not standardized in the sale of firewood. A typical pick-up truck cannot hold a cord of firewood.
If consumers follow these tips, they can feel confident that they purchased a local, worthy product that will keep them warm throughout the winter months.
For more information on EAB and TCD and state quarantines, visit http://protecttnforests.org/
For more information on the TDA’s Weights & Measures Section, visit http://www.tn.gov/agriculture/regulatory/weightsandmeasures.shtml.