News 2015

The Woodbury Lions Club’s efforts of fundraising during the holiday season was successful as the Lions netted almost $5500 through sales of nuts and the Christmas ornaments.  Lion member Clyde Bush who is the co chairman of the nut sales commitee, reports that this year’s sales netted $3809 of total sales of $16,539.  The cost of the nuts this year was $13,027.00. Each year the Cannon County High School Lioness club takes a portion of the nut order at cost and sell them as a fundraiser for that club. They netted $207 which is included in the totals.  
The nuts were distributed from committee co chair Lion Mark Vance’s place of business where the semi delivery truck unloaded them in November.  The quality of the nuts are consistently superior to most found on the market at that time of the year.  Pecan halves in resealable bags are the most popular item the club sells.  Giant cashews, english walnuts and a high quality dried fruit and nut mix round out the items that many people wait for every year.  
The 2014 edition of Christmas ornaments, Colonial Shirt Factory is completely sold out.  Total sales of the ornaments came out to $3697 with a net profit of $1669.00.  Lion Cliff Swoape reported that several ornaments of previous years are still available except for the Adams Memorial Library.  The ornaments have become collector items and are in great demand

The Dekalb County Tigers haven’t enjoyed as much success against District opponents this season as they have in the past.  Last year the team won only four district games and this year so far the Tigers are 2-4 in district play.  They will provide a dangerous challenge to the Cannon County Lions in Woodbury tonight.  Dekalb is considered the big rivalry and the Tigers come into the contest having won three in a row including their last two consecutive district games.  The Lions are 5-1 in district play but their last two games have put a lot of gray hair on basketball fans heads as the Lions have been able to get out to big leads and right before they look to put the game on the shelf, opponents have been able to get back into it and make a game of it.  The night gets started with the girls game as the 1-5 Dekalb County Lady Tigers would like nothing more to sneak into Woodbury and get a win and move into a tie with their rival the Cannon County Lionettes.  The games start at 6:00.  WBRY will carry the games live on AM-1540/FM 96.7 WBRY.  The games will also be streamed online at wbry.com and through the TuneIn radio app through WBRY on your smartphones and tablets  

The Cannon County High School Basketball teams will be holding a green out night Tuesday night January 20th against Macon County.  This is a fundraiser for Edith McReynolds, the mother of basketball players Erin, Marshall and Garrett McReynolds as well as manager Kristen McReynolds. She has been diagnosed with lymphnoma. Shirts are $15.00.  Shirts may be ordered by seeing Colin Jones or Taylor McNelms.  Please order shirts ASAP.  Shirts may be ordered today at the high school between 11-12.  Orders can also be left with Principal Karen King of the West Side school today.  Also Saturday there will be a Fish Fry and Silent Auction at the Auburntown Community Center from 12 noon to 7 p.m.

As winter weather rolls through the Volunteer State leaving a trail of frozen pipes, power outages and house fires in its wake, the State Fire Marshal’s Office wants to remind Tennesseans how crucial it is to keep fire safety in mind during the winter months.“Brutally cold weather can drastically increase fire risks during what is already a peak season for residential fires,” said Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “It is crucial to make fire safety a priority in and around our homes to avoid the devastation that can accompany frigid temperatures.”
The State Fire Marshal’s Office offers these tips to ward off winter fire hazards:
Electrical Safety
If your home has sustained flood or water damage, and you can safely get to the main breaker or fuse box, turn off the power.
Assume all wires on the ground are electrically charged. This includes cable TV feeds.
Exposed outlets and wiring could present a fire and life safety hazard.
Appliances that emit smoke or sparks should be repaired or replaced.
Have a licensed electrician check your home for damage.
Generator Safety
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines when using generators.
Use a generator or other fuel-powered machines outside the home. Carbon monoxide (CO) fumes are odorless and can quickly overwhelm you indoors.
Use the appropriate sized and type power cords to carry the electric load. Overloaded cords can overheat and cause fires.
Never run cords under rugs or carpets where heat might build up or damage to a cord may go unnoticed.
Never connect generators to another power source such as power lines. The reverse flow of electricity or ‘backfeed’ can electrocute an unsuspecting utility worker.
Heating Safety
Turn portable alternative heaters (such as space heaters or kerosene heaters) off when you go to bed or leave the room.
Portable heaters need their space. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away.
Make sure your portable heaters have “tip switches.” These switches are designed to automatically turn off the heater in the event they tip over.
Do not use the kitchen oven range to heat your home. In addition to being a fire hazard, it can be a source of toxic fumes.
Never refill a space heater while it is operating or still hot.
Refuel heaters only outdoors.
Make sure wood stoves are properly installed, and at least three feet away from combustible materials. Ensure they have the proper floor support and adequate ventilation.
Use a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace to prevent sparks from igniting nearby carpets, furniture or other items that can catch fire.
If you utilize fuel-burning appliances, install and maintain a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.
Additional Tips
Always use a flashlight – not a candle – for emergency lighting.
If the power goes out, make certain that all electrical appliances, such as stoves, electric space heaters and hair dryers, are in the OFF position.
If there is a fire hydrant near your home, keep it clear of snow, ice and debris for easy access by the fire department.
Notify your local fire marshal’s office if your home or building’s fire sprinkler system has been impaired.
Make certain that your home’s smoke alarms are in proper working order.
Some smoke alarms may be dependent on your home’s electrical service and could be inoperative during a power outage. Check to see if your smoke alarm uses a back-up battery and install a new battery at least once a year.
Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home (including the basement) and inside and outside of sleeping areas. Test your smoke alarms monthly.
Develop a home fire escape plan with two ways out of every room and a designated outside meeting place. Practice the plan with everyone in your home.

The American Red Cross encourages eligible blood donors to start a lifesaving habit by becoming a regular blood donor this year, starting with National Blood Donor Month in January. January is a challenging time for blood donations.  Inclement weather can result in blood drive cancellations and cold and flu season may cause some donors to be unable to make or keep blood donation appointments.  National Blood Donor Month, celebrated in January since 1970 raises awareness of the need for blood during the winter and throughout the year, while honoring those who roll up a sleeve to help patients in need.  Donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with O negative, A negative and B negative.  Type O negative is the uni blood type.  Types A and B negative can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients.  
The Cannon County Community Wide Blood Drive is Thursday.  It will be held at the Woodbury Lions Club Building on the corner of Lehman and West Adams Street.  To learn more about donating blood and to schedule an appointment download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-Cross.

It’s rare for the Cannon County Lions to get a basketball win on the road at Livingston.  It’s even more rare for the Lions to jump out to a big lead against what has been one of the top teams in the district for over a decade.  Friday night Cannon accomplished both feats although the latter didn’t last long.  The Lions looked at one point in the first half like they were going to blow out the Wildcats as they built a 14 point lead early in the second quarter but then the Lions repeated the sloppy play they exhibited after they built a 21 point lead against Upperman a few nights before.  Livingston took advantage of the turnovers and closed the gap by four going into the final frame.  With the Lions in foul trouble, the Wildcats forced the first lead change of the game in the fourth period and at that point it was whoever wanted it the most.  Game  ended up tied four times in the fourth with the most important tie of the game at the end of regulation which meant overtime.  Livingston got a cushion lead of four points but the Lions would create a cruical turnover with under a minute to go to tie the game up at 70-70.  Livingston on their next possession hit two free throws off a Lion foul to take the lead 72-70 and set the stage for the dramatic finish.  With 5 seconds left after a timeout, the Lions inbounded the ball to Jacob Nave.  Nave turned and fired a desperation shot at the buzzer and nailed it.  The referees ruled it was a three point shot and Cannon snuck out of Livingston with a 73-72 overtime thrilling win.  The win puts Cannon in sole possession of first place even though in the standings they are tied with York.  York is appealing a postseason suspension currently.  Nave finished with a game high 24 while Garrett McReynolds netted 16 and Josh Ruehlan poured in 11.  Cannon’s record is 16-5 overall and 5-1 in district play. If the Cannon County Lionettes weren’t feeling 100 percent in the opener against Livingston, the Lionettes have to feel good about their chances when they do get to 100 percent.  Forward Kendra Maynard suffered back problems while guard Kelly Davis was a game time decision due to not feeling well and the Lionettes already had the odds stacked against them even before they stepped on the floor against Livingston.  The Lionettes were able to keep pace with Livingston through the first quarter trailing 10-9 but in the second quarter the Lady Cats were able to score inside the paint and built a 12 point lead.  The Lionettes made adjustments and with a full court press came back to tie the game 43 all going into the fourth quarter.  But foul problems plagued the Lionettes.  Livingston had no problems connecting on their free throws to seal the win 50-43.  Erin McReynolds led the Lionettes with 15 points while Kristin Hale and Kelli Davis added 10.  Autumn King was able to stay out of foul trouble most of the game until the final period.  She finished with 9 points.  
The Lions and Lionettes come back to Robert A Harris Gym Tuesday to face rival Dekalb County.  The Lionettes are now 15-5 and 2-4 in district play

The Cannon County Republican Party in compliance with the State of Tennessee Republican Party By-laws will hold a reorganization meeting on Feb 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cannon County Courthouse.  The public is invited and encouraged to attend this meeting.   Please be aware that the rules and qualifications governing who may become officers for the Republican Party state that any individual seeking to become County officers must have voted in the last three Republican Primary Elections, be active within the county party or a recognized auxiliary organization and be able to be vouched for to the satisfaction of the State Chairman as a bonafide Republican.  
Anyone wishing to contest the results of the election may do so in writing to the State of Tennessee Republican Party Chairman at 2424 21st Avenue Suite 200 Nashville Tennessee 37212, no later than 10 days from the date of the reorganization.  The contest and credentials chairman for the Cannon County Republican Party is Gerry Nokes at 174 Nokes Lane Woodbury TN 37190
 

If you eat dinner, Soil Health should be important to you.  Allow me to explain.  The definition of Soil Health is the ability of the soil to function properly.  Well you ask, what are the functions of the soil? Sustaining plant and animal productivity and diversity
Maintaining or enhance water and air quality
Supporting human health and habitation
The reason it is called “Soil Health” instead of “Soil Quality” is because the soil is teeming with life.  Matter of fact, there are more living organisms in a teaspoon of healthy soil than there are people on earth.  Wow, let that fact bounce around in your mind for a moment.  All those living organisms in the soil are responsible for cycling nutrients, helping air and water permeate through the soil so that it a perfect environment for plants to grow.
Sometimes, humans in their “infinite wisdom” do things to the soil that inhibits all this life in the soil all in the name of food production.  Some of these things include excessive tillage, growing the same crop year after year or overgrazing pastures just to name and few.  We can include adding chemical pesticides and fertilizers to that list also.  Before you come out of your seat with that comment, know that these chemicals are added by producers to overcome some problem on their farm, lack of nutrients in the soil for sufficient plant growth or excessive crop damage from weeds, disease and/or insects.  All of these are symptoms of poor soil health.  Conventional agriculture production, that we know today, insists that these inputs be used to produce a crop.  The healthier the soils are, the less of these inputs are required to be used.  These inputs are not required for production, but when the soils are not functioning properly, the chemical inputs are a must for the farmer to be able to receive income for his cropping efforts.  The same goes for livestock farmers.  When pastures are overgrazed, they encounter the same problems that crop farmers face, lack of plant production, excessive weed and pest pressure, so they also must reach for these commercial inputs to boost plant growth and curtail weed and pest pressures.
These scenarios paint a struggling picture of food production in this country.  Learning, practicing and embracing Soil Health can help producers out of the trench I just described.  Even if you don’t grow a single thing you eat, methods of food production should be of paramount interest to you.  Especially if you have concerns about how your food is grown and what inputs are being used to produce that food.  Hello, my name is Pamela Hoskins and I am the District Conservationist with USDA in Cannon County.  My office is located at 740 Old McMinnville Road in Woodbury, phone 615-563-4321.  I can help you learn about “Soil Health”.  Also, I ask that you visit a couple of websites that have valuable information.  One of the sites is a USDA site, just type “Unlock the Secrets of the Soil” in your search engine.  The most important video that everyone needs to watch is of Gabe Brown from North Dakota and this link is from his presentation to the Idaho Sustainable Farming Conference.  Gabe Brown: Keys TO Building Healthy Soil   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yPjoh9YJMk
I ask that you watch it in its entirety.  If you eat, this video is important to you because, “Soil Health, It’s what’s for Dinner”.
 

Can I get Ebola from eating food?     Ebola virus is not spread by consuming food, with the possible exception of bushmeat[PDF – 1 page] in (or from) Africa. Bushmeat is meat from wild animals, such as bats and monkeys, hunted for food in developing regions of the world such as some African countries.
    No one has been infected with Ebola from foods that were imported, or even illegally smuggled, into the United States.
    No one has been infected with Ebola from eating foods that are grown or purchased in the United States.  
    There is no evidence that foods produced commercially have ever transmitted Ebola virus anywhere in the world.
    There has been no evidence in previous Ebola outbreak investigations of the virus spreading through food contaminated with the blood or body fluids of an infected food worker.
Can I get Ebola from handling or eating African bushmeat in the United States?
    In some African countries, past Ebola outbreaks were associated with exposure to contaminated bushmeat, although the way Ebola was spread (butchering, handling, or eating) from bushmeat to people is unknown.  
        Hunting, butchering, and eating wild animals in the United States poses no risk of Ebola virus infection.
    It is illegal to bring bushmeat into the United States.
        Bushmeat brought into the United States from Africa could make people sick if it contains Ebola virus, although this has never occurred.
        Bushmeat found at United States ports of entry is confiscated and destroyed along with all items that may have come in contact with the bushmeat.
        Up to $250,000 in fines may be imposed for smuggling bushmeat into the United States.
    If you encounter bushmeat in the United States, do not eat it or handle it, and report it to the health department.
Does food imported from any of the countries in West Africa with widespread transmission, or from countries with Ebola cases in urban settings with uncertain control measures, pose a risk to United States consumers?
    In West Africa, transmission of Ebola through eating or handling food other than bushmeat has never been documented. Foods (other than bushmeat) imported from West Africa should pose no risk of Ebola to consumers in the United States.
    Additionally, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has import regulations that are intended to protect the livestock population of the United States.
        USDA regulations prohibit the entry of live animals including cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, and animal products, meat and poultry unless they were treated to mitigate the risk of diseases from most countries in Africa, including Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Mali.
Is it safe to eat at restaurants owned or operated by people from West Africa?
    There is no reason to avoid restaurants owned or operated by persons of a specific race, ethnicity, nationality, or country of origin.
    People of West African descent living in the United States are not at greater risk for Ebola than other people living in the United States.
    Recent travelers to the region, or those with known contact with an Ebola patient who was ill or died from Ebola, regardless of country of origin, are actively monitored for signs and symptoms of Ebola by public health officials for 21 days after they return to the United States.
Q&As for the Food Industry
Are there any special precautions I need to take for employees who return to work after traveling to any of the countries in West Africa with widespread transmission or countries with Ebola cases in urban settings with uncertain control measures?
    If you have an employee who has traveled to the United States from any of the countries in West Africa with widespread transmission, or with cases in urban settings with uncertain control measures, or has had contact with a confirmed case of Ebola, the employee will be actively monitored by public health officials for 21 days after the date of their departure from West Africa or contact with the case.
        Active monitoring establishes daily contact between public health officials and travelers from the affected region to monitor for signs and symptoms of Ebola.
        Public health workers at your health department will decide if people who are being actively monitored will need additional public health orders such as restrictions on movement based on their level of risk.
        These public health orders could stop a person from going to work, or being in public places like movie theaters.
    In the event your employee begins to show signs or symptoms of Ebola, you and the employee should contact the health department immediately. They will assess the situation and recommend the most appropriate course of action.
        The signs and symptoms of Ebola include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal (stomach) pain, and unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising).
        If the employee is at work and begins to show signs or symptoms, the employee should isolate her or himself in a room away from others. If the employee needs immediate medical attention, call 911 and tell the responder about the concern about possible Ebola infection.
        If the employee is not at work, the employee should not report to work and should isolate her or himself from others and await further information from the health department.
        The health department will want to know if anyone had direct physical contact with the ill employee or his or her blood or body fluids (including but not limited to urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk, and semen).
        The isolation and evaluation plan includes appropriate directions to limit exposure of other persons to the sick employee, and to direct the individual to a hospital that has been equipped to receive potential Ebola patients and evaluate them for both Ebola and for many other more common illnesses that have symptoms similar to Ebola.
Can sick food workers spread Ebola through food?
    If an ill food worker has not had contact with anyone with Ebola, either in the United States or West Africa, he or she does not have Ebola and cannot give anyone Ebola.
    There is no evidence in either the current outbreak or in previous Ebola outbreak investigations of the virus spreading through food handled by an infected food worker. However, any food worker with fever or illness symptoms such as coughing, vomiting, or diarrhea should not handle food.
    Contact your health department immediately if a food worker develops signs or symptoms of Ebola after returning from a country in West Africa where there is an Ebola outbreak, or has had contact with someone who has Ebola.
If someone with Ebola sneezes or coughs on a food item, can this person spread Ebola?
    There is no evidence that Ebola virus is spread by coughing or sneezing.
    Ebola virus is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or body fluids (including but not limited to urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk, and semen) of a person who is sick with Ebola.
    Ebola virus is not transmitted through the air. However, droplets (e.g., splashes or sprays) of respiratory or other secretions from a person who is very sick with Ebola could make others sick.
    Food that is known to be contaminated in any way, such as by a sneeze by someone with a cold, should always be thrown away and should not be sold or served for human consumption.
How do I clean and disinfect an area that may be contaminated with Ebola?
    Do not attempt to clean an area that may be contaminated with Ebola virus.
    Call your health department immediately and stay away from the possibly contaminated surface area. People trained, and equipped with the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), to clean vomit or other body fluids that could be contaminated with Ebola will be able to safely clean and disinfect the area.
What steps need to be taken if I find out that a customer who visited my establishment has been diagnosed with Ebola?
    Contact your health department to discuss the best course of action.
    The risk of other employees or customers contracting Ebola would be extremely low unless people came into direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a person who was sick with Ebola.
As a manager of a food establishment or food processing operation, are there additional questions I need to ask employees that call in sick?
    If you are concerned about the possibility of Ebola infection in an employee, you can ask sick employees:
        Have you traveled to one of the countries in West Africa with widespread transmission, or to another country with cases in urban settings with uncertain control measures, within the past 21 days?
        Have you had direct contact with someone with Ebola, or the body of a person who died from Ebola, within the past 21 days?
    If the employee answers yes to either of these questions, and reports a sign or symptom of Ebola, contact your health department immediately and tell the employee to call the health department. The employee should not report to work and should isolate her or himself and await further information from the health department.
 

The wedding ceremony’s aim remains to form a lifelong union, but one of its centerpieces — the bride’s gown — has been transformed to accommodate various styles over the years. Oaklands wedding dress poster 2015 webMany of those styles will be on display in “Wedding Dresses through the Decades,” an exhibit from Sunday, Jan. 11, through Sunday, March 8, at Oaklands Historic House Museum, located at 900 N. Maney Ave. in Murfreesboro.
The MTSU Department of Human Sciences is a partner in the fourth annual event, contributing dress forms and sign holders for more than 50 gowns representing styles from 1860 through 2014.
This year’s exhibit includes dresses from the department’s Textiles, Merchandising and Design Historic Costume Collection.
Dr. Teresa King, a professor of textiles, merchandising and design, helped Oaklands’ educational director Mary Beth Nevills select and the provided gowns from the collection.
King’s own wedding dress, as well as the military uniform worn by her groom, were part of a window display at McWherter Learning Resources Center last year.
The 2014 wedding dresses display at Oaklands won the Award of Excellence in the temporary exhibition category from the Tennessee Association of Museums conference in Greenville.
The exhibit will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. Special appointments also are available.
Admission is $8 per person, and group rates are available upon request.
Special Friday evening displays are slated for 4 to 8 p.m. Jan. 23, Feb. 6 and 20, and March 6.
Sponsors of “Wedding Dresses through the Decades” include Bell Jewelers, Encore Bridal & Formal Wear, Julia’s HomeStyle Bakery, Rion Flowers and Gifts, The Write Impression and Street Tuxedo.
For more information, contact Deborah Belcher, chair of the MTSU Department of Human Sciences, at 615-898-2302 or deborah.belcher@mtsu.edu, or Mary Beth Nevills, educational director for Oaklands, at 615-893-0022 or mb@oaklandsmuseum.org.