News

A state commission is awarding 32 grants for historic preservation and archaeological projects in Tennessee. The Tennessee Historical Commission made the announcement last week.

In adjoining Coffee County, Tennessee Division of Archaeology has been granted a $9,300 to fund an archaeological survey of Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park.

Cannon County could benefit with a grant to the Upper Cumberland Development District. A $40,000 grant will fund a preservation specialist staff position for the Upper Cumberland Development District.

Newly released unemployment data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development  for May 2019 shows unemployment rates for nearly every county in the state are below 5 percent for the month.

Ninety-one counties have unemployment rates lower than 5 percent and four counties have a rate of 5 percent or higher in May.

Cannon County’s rate increased less than half a percent going from 2.4 in April to 2.8 in May.

While Tennessee continued to experience low unemployment in May, 90 of the state’s counties did see a slight uptick in their rates, one county remained the same, and unemployment dropped in four counties. 

At 2.2 percent, Williamson County currently has the state’s lowest unemployment rate. That represents a 0.3 of a percentage point increase when compared to April. Davidson County also experienced an uptick in its unemployment rate, increasing from 2 percent in April to 2.3 percent in May.

One week from today Dillon Park will become Boom Park for the annual 4^th of July celebration. This year the Mooretown Fire Department will conduct the program at the request of the towns of Woodbury and Auburntown.

The Mooretown Fire Department has gained a loyal following for their annual firework show.  Chief Michael George commented that the department is humbled at the invitation.  Next week’s event will be the largest for the department.

Residents are invited to arrive at Dillion Park starting at 5pm.  Vendors will attend for food and refreshments.  The fireworks show will begin shortly after 9pm.

In addition to underwriting for the event from the founders, the Town of Woodbury and Auburntown, SRM Concrete, Hawkins Asphalt Paving, Nathan Luna and the Citizens for Highway 70 S are serving as platinum sponsors.

If you’re planning on attending, remember to bring your own blanket and lawn chairs. The best park, the 4^th of July celebration at Dillion Park is free!

This will be the first 4^th of July where it is illegal to shoot fireworks in the city limits of Woodbury.  The countywide celebration is the only event approved by city government.

July 1^st is Monday and the fiscal year is coming to an end.  The county’s budget committee continues to meet as a budget for the new year is being created.  The county commissioners are scheduled to resume their recessed meeting on Friday with the focus on budget amendments. Some of those amendments are coming from the board of education.

The school board met last night from their recessed meeting from earlier this month and approved a slate of final adjustments from this year’s budget.  A total of 17 budget resolutions were approved dealing with budget adjustments ranging from over 71-thousand dollars in special education to eighty-cents in social security and workers compensation for the board.

Those resolutions are now forwarded to the county commissioners for their approval.

The county commission will meet on Friday afternoon at 5:30pm.

In addition to the budget, voters last year give county government a mandate to create an office for a financial director.  That committee will meet Saturday morning.

The first day of summer (June 21, 2019) brought widespread severe weather across Tennessee, including heavy rain, damaging winds, and power outages. With severe weather again forecasted for the Volunteer State this week, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) is providing tips to aid consumers when filing their insurance claims, selecting contractors, and avoiding scammers who might prey on consumers.

FILING INSURANCE CLAIMS

• File your claim as soon as possible. Call your insurance company or agent with your policy number and other relevant information. Your policy may require that you make the notification within a certain time frame.
• If your home is damaged to the extent that you cannot live there, ask your insurance company if you have coverage for additional living expenses.
• Document the disaster by taking photographs or video of any damage.
• Make the repairs necessary to prevent further damage to your property (cover broken windows, leaking roofs and damaged walls). Don’t have permanent repairs made until your insurance company has inspected the property and you have reached an agreement on the cost of repairs. Be prepared to provide the claims adjuster with records improvements you made prior to the damage.

HIRING A CONTRACTOR

• Remember that a contractor’s license is required before bidding or price negotiations when the total cost of the project is $25,000 or more.
• For work less than $25,000, check with your local government’s  building codes office to confirm whether a contractor needs a state license or local license to perform home improvement, electrical, plumbing or HVAC work, as well as their permit requirements for inspections.
• Before selecting a professional, ensure they are properly licensed for the project by visiting verify.tn.gov.
• Get several bids and check references before committing to a contractor.
• Be wary of contractors selling repairs door-to-door, especially when they ask to receive payment upfront or offer deep discounts.
• Generally, do not pay more than 1/3 of the cost upfront and make sure you have the terms of payment in writing.
• If you are dealing with a company or person who promises to remove debris from your property, ask them to list the services they will provide in writing. Ensure that your contract provides for you to make an inspection and approve the work before making the final payment.

BEWARE OF DISASTER RELATED SCAMS

While many people seek to help during times of disaster, unfortunately there is also an increased risk for scams and fraud. Watch out for:

• Upfront fees to help you claim services, benefits, or get loans. No government agency charges application fees.
• Con artists posing as government employees, insurance adjusters, law enforcement officials, or bank employees. Confirm credentials by calling the agencies if necessary.
• Organizations with names similar to government agencies or charities.
• Limited time offers. Don’t be pressured to make a decision on the spot or to sign anything without having enough time to review it.
• Fake rental listings. If the offer sounds too good to be true or the property owner can’t show you the property beforehand, it’s a bad sign.

To further assist consumers with disaster recovery, the Department offers the following resources:

• Post-disaster recovery webpage
• Printable disaster recover brochure
• Disaster recovery video

Farmers and ranchers with expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts may now re-enroll in certain CRP continuous signup practices or, if eligible, select a one-year contract extension. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) also is accepting offers from those who want to enroll for the first time in one of the country’s largest conservation programs. FSA’s 52^nd signup for CRP runs from June 3 to August 23.

“Agricultural producers with expiring CRP contracts have set aside land to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, provide habitat for wildlife and boost soil health for at least a decade,” said U.S. Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey. “We want to make sure they – and their neighbors who may not have a CRP contract – know they have opportunities within CRP to continue their valuable contribution to our country’s conservation successes.”

FSA stopped accepting offers last fall for the CRP continuous signup when 2014 Farm Bill authority expired. The 2018 Farm Bill reauthorized the program this past December, and FSA has carefully analyzed the bill’s language and determined that a limited signup prioritizing water-quality practices furthers conservation goals and makes sense for producers as FSA works to fully implement the program.

This year’s CRP continuous signup includes such practices as grass waterways, filter strips, riparian buffers, wetland restoration and others. View a full list of practices approved for this signup.  Continuous signup enrollment contracts last for 10 to 15 years. Soil rental rates are set at 90 percent of 2018 rates. Incentive payments are not offered for these practices.

Producers with Expiring CRP Contracts

Letters are in the mail to all producers with expiring CRP contracts, describing possible options. 

A one-year extension is being offered to existing CRP participants with expiring CRP contracts of 14 years or less that have practices not eligible for re-enrollment under this CRP signup.

Alternatively, producers with expiring contracts may have the option to enroll in the Transition Incentives Program, which provides two additional annual rental payments on the condition the land is sold or rented to a beginning farmer or rancher or a member of a socially disadvantaged group.

CRP Continuous CREP Signup

This signup also enables producers to sign up under existing Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) agreements. CREP is part of CRP and targets high-priority conservation concerns identified by a state, and federal funds are supplemented with non-federal funds to address those concerns. Download this fact sheet to learn more.

Other Future CRP Signup Options

FSA is still planning a CRP general signup in December 2019, with a CRP Grasslands signup to follow. Those that extend their contracts may be eligible for one of these signup types or another continuous signup in the future.

More Information

On December 20, 2018, President Trump signed into law the 2018 Farm Bill, which provides support, certainty and stability to our nation’s farmers, ranchers and land stewards by enhancing farm support programs, improving crop insurance, maintaining disaster programs and promoting and supporting voluntary conservation. FSA is committed to implementing these changes as quickly and effectively as possible, and today’s updates are part of meeting that goal.

Producers interested in applying for CRP continuous practices, including those under existing CREP agreements, or who want to extend their contract, should contact their USDA service center by August 23. To locate your local FSA office, visit www.farmers.gov. More information on CRP can be found at www.fsa.usda.gov/crp.

Beginning on July 1 a driver could be fine up to $200 for holding or supporting your cell phone with your body.

State legislators passed a law making it illegal to hold your cell phone while driving.

With the new law, hands-free devices, like earpieces and headphones, are allowed. This allows drivers to answer calls without lifting a finger. Some cars allow you to connect your phone to your car speakers so you can keep your eyes on the road.

The first time police see you holding your phone while driving will be a $50 fine. If the use of your phone results in a wreck, the fine jumps to $100. If you are holding your phone in a work or school zone when warning flashers are on, it will be a $200 fine.

The hope is that the new law cuts down on wrecks and keeps roads safer.

Tennessee is the 19^th state to ban cell phone use while driving. The only exceptions are law enforcement, first responders and other utility workers in emergency situations.

Over 90 newly certified officers graduated from Basic Law Enforcement School at the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy Friday. One of the graduates to walk the walk will use that training to serve the people of Cannon County.

Tony Drake, a deputy with the Cannon County Sheriff’s Department is a member of the class.  Sheriff Darryl Young was in attendance for the ceremony.

 According to the Academy’s Director, Brian Grisham, “The cadets of Class 1863 have demonstrated they have the commitment it takes to serve their fellow Tennesseans. In addition to completing their training, these cadets went above and beyond by donating 86 pints of blood during a blood drive with the American Red Cross. Their donations have the potential to save up to 258 lives. I commend Class 1863 for their dedication and wish them the best as they return to serve their communities and Tennessee.”

Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy ’s Basic Law Enforcement School course provides technical and tactical expertise in addition to the ethical and professional standards needed to be a successful law enforcement officer.

Graduates of Basic Police School Class 1863 will serve police departments, sheriffs’ offices, and state agencies. In addition to the Sheriff’s Department in Cannon County, Coffee County, Rutherford County and Wilson County and police departments in La Vergne,  Lebanon, Murfreesboro and Smyrna gained graduates from the current class.

The next Basic Law Enforcement School class begins July 7th.

PHOTO: CANNON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

May’s unemployment preliminary rate of 3.3 percent in Tennessee is 0.1 of a percentage point higher than the previous month’s rate. Since February, unemployment across the state had held steady at a record 3.2 percent. 

When comparing year-to-year statistics, the current rate is 0.3 of a percentage point lower than it was in May 2018.

Total nonfarm employment in Tennessee grew by 3,900 jobs between April and May. The most significant amount of growth occurred in the accommodation/food services and nondurable goods manufacturing sectors.

Nationally, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.6 percent, mirroring April’s national rate and marks a 0.2 of a percentage point drop to the same time last year.

Tennesseans searching for new employment can log on to Jobs4TN.gov, the state’s workforce development website. It has over 150,000 active job listings, as well as free online resume assistance, job interview skills training, and other best practices to help with job searching.