News

Zoning amendments, plans for a new apartment building, a new walk in medical facility and town homes for South McCrary Street filled the agenda for the Woodbury Municipal Planning Commission this week.

Commissioners reviewed and approved plans for construction for a 3,600 sq. ft. building on Main Street near the intersection of Auburntown Road.  Fast Pace Medical Clinic of Nashville is planning to open the facility before the end of the year.

Revised plans discussed at last month’s meeting for an 8 unit apartment building were reviewed, commissioners tabled any action until the July meeting.

A zoning amendment dealing with the types of fencing a homeowner can use for the front yard of their residence.  Commissioners approved and moved on for consideration of the Board of Alderman.

The group also got their first look of a group of townhomes to be constructed on South McCrary Street.  The parcel is currently home rental property for 3 mobile homes.  The plan calls for zero lot line and provide two car garages.  Commissioners gave approval with the condition of the town making a revision on current zoning restrictions.

Woodbury Municipal Planning Commission will meet next on Tuesday, July  16^th.

Cannon County youth joined approximately 300 youth across the state at the three-day TNSTRONG or Tennessee Stop Tobacco and Revolutionize Our New Generation Youth Summit held in Murfreesboro. Attendees heard from leading tobacco prevention experts in addition to networking with peers. The purpose of the conference was to equip youth with leadership skills to reach their peers on the dangers of tobacco use including electronic nicotine delivery systems such as Juuls.

Over the three-day conference, the chaperones and youth had the privilege to hear nationally acclaimed groups such as Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, TRUTH Initiative and Dover Youth from New Hampshire. The attendees also heard from Tennessee Tobacco Use Prevention Experts on policy change and project based learning.

“The conference taught us a great deal about the dangers of tobacco. It also allowed us to have endless amounts of fun. I can’t wait until next year.” said Rena House, Chaperone.

In 2016, the first youth summit was held in Tennessee. At this conference, TNSTRONG was created. Youth developed the acronym for Tennessee Stop Tobacco and Revolutionize Our New Generation. The mission of TNSTRONG is to inspire and prepare Tennessee students to create a tobacco-free tomorrow.

Cannon County Director of Schools William F. Curtis has named Emily Hancock as Principal of Woodbury Grammar School. The position became available upon the retirement of Rick Meacham, who has served as Principal for the past five years.  A Press Conference will be held on Tuesday, June 25^th, 2019 – 9 AM at the Woodbury Grammar School Library. 

Emily Hancock is a thirteen year veteran teacher from Woodbury. She began her teaching career in Cannon County Schools at Woodbury Grammar in 2006.  She has taught first grade, served as a school-wide Title I teacher for ten years, building test coordinator, and Assistant Principal at Woodbury Grammar. Emily attended Woodbury Grammar as a student until the 3rd grade, and graduated as valedictorian at Boyd Christian in 2002. After attending Motlow State Community College, she continued to Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville to receive a kindergarten through 8th grade teacher certification in 2006. As a lifelong resident of Cannon County, family and community are important values to her.

In 2008, Emily graduated from Tennessee Tech University with a masters in Instructional Leadership, and in 2012 with an Educational Specialist Degree in Reading. In 2016 and 2017, she taught at Motlow State Community College as a reading adjunct professor. Emily has served as a Cannon County Literacy Teacher Leader, and Data Coach. As well as a presenter with TNCore at state level reading trainings. Her specialty area is working with Kindergarten – 3rd Grade students with the Read to be Ready Summer Reading Camps. Hancock was a teacher at the first state offered reading camp for Cannon County students in the summer of 2016. In 2017, 2018, and 2019 she was co-director of Cannon County Read to be Ready Camp which focuses on literacy in grades K-3 with our Upper Cumberland goal of 90 percent of Tennessee students to reading proficiency by the end of third grade in the year 2025.

Woodbury Grammar School had thirteen total applicants for the position.  Director Curtis conducted extensive interviews with each applicant and established a Woodbury Grammar School Advisory Committee consisting of Chairperson Mrs. Bonnie Patterson Supervisor of Attendance / Coordinator of School Health, as well as, former Principal of Woodbury Grammar School; 5^th District Board Member Brian Elrod; four veteran teachers; and four parents from the school.  The Committee met and submitted a recommendation to Director Curtis, and he chose Ms. Emily Hancock on Wednesday, June 19^th, 2019. 

Director Curtis stated the following, “I am excited to announce Ms. Emily Hancock as Principal of Woodbury Grammar School.  She is a proven veteran educator and well respected among her peers. I am extremely appreciative of her willingness to be the leader of the team to achieve our Mission of Cannon County Schools and specifically Woodbury Grammar School – ‘Preparing ALL Students for their Future’ through our VISION – ‘The New E3 = ‘Engaged in Excellence Every Day!’” 

Locally produced honey, green beans, squash, cucumbers and much more are now available at the Market. Tomatoes are starting to ripen and should be available in the next two weeks. Irene’s fried pies are always a good start to a Saturday morning.

Harold Duggin, Ray Shipp and Dan Schau and Ken Beaty kicked the season off the Market last Saturday with a great selection.  Ken Beaty with a unbeelievable tasting local honey and blueberries should be ready soon. Be sure to drop by the Market this Saturday when it opens at 7:00 A.M. The Cannon County Farmers Market located at the Arts Center of Cannon County, open until Noon or until the veggies are gone.

If you would like to be a vendor or need additional information, contact Bruce Steelman at the University of Tennessee Extension Office at 614 Lehman Street or 615-563-2554.

Woodbury Municipal Planning Commission will meet tonight.  Growth continues on a slow steady pace.  Items before consideration include:

Commissioners will review plans for Fast Pace Medical Clinic to be located along Highway 70 South.

Plans for apartments off of Highway 70 South adjacent to O’Reilly’s are on the agenda. Owners are Michael J. Hutchins and Faron Lane Ferrell.

Two Zoning Amendment are before commissioner’s consideration for the R-2 Zoning District:  Change the Side Yard Setbacks from 15 Feet to 10 Feet and to add regulations for fences.

The meeting will be held at Northcutt Building (town hall) at 6:00pm.

Tennessee state average gas price is $2.35 per gallon for regular unleaded, which is seven cents less than a week ago, 20 cents less than one month ago and 19 cents less than one year ago.

Today’s national average is $2.68, which is six cents cheaper than last week, 17 cents less than last month and 20 cents less than the same time last year.

Stephanie Milani, Tennessee Public Affairs Director, AAA – The Auto Club Group commetted, “The national average dropped six cents last week, following a consistent downward trend since Memorial Day, The decline is unusual for this time of year. Typically, increased demand puts strain on supply and the imbalance pushes pump prices higher. This year however, gasoline stocks have remained consistent thanks to strong domestic outputs and healthy imports, which help push pump prices lower.”  

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Short Mountain School Principal Robert Pitts recently met new Tennessee Commissioner of Education Dr. Penny Schwinn.  Pitts attended the Tennessee Tech University 44th Annual Education Leadership Institute in Cookeville, Tennessee on Wednesday and Thursday.  He was introduced to Commissioner Schwinn by Cannon County Schools Director William F. Curtis proceeding her address to Director of Schools, Supervisors, Principals, and Educators from throughout the Upper Cumberland Region.  Commissioner Schwinn thanked Mr. Pitts for his years of service and complemented him on his service to the students of Cannon County.
Mr. Pitts was even the subject of a “Tweet” that the Commissioner sent out later that day: (see photo at right, click photo for enlargement)

Pitts has served Cannon County Schools for the past 52 years as an educator in the school district, and is affectionately known by his fellow principals and supervisors as “Dean Pitts,” – the longest serving Principal in Cannon County and in honor of his life-long service to Cannon County Students. Mr. Pitts is one of the longest serving educators in the state and one of the longest serving active Principals in the State of Tennessee. 

Robert Pitts started his journey as an educator in 1967 as an English Language Arts teacher at Woodbury Central High School from 1967 to 1968.  He then began his journey as a Teaching Principal at East Side School from 1968 until 1987.  Mr. Pitts was Supervisor of Special Education for a year in 1987 to 1988. His next stop in his career was Cannon County High School Principal from 1988 until 2004. Mr. Pitts has been serving as Short Mountain School Principal from 2004 to the Present.  He is a lifelong resident of Cannon County and graduated from Woodbury Central High School in 1963.  He earned his Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree from Middle Tennessee State University.  He is married to Beverly Pitts and has three daughters – Bridget, Cindy, and Kayla. They have five grandchildren and another one on the way!

Director Curtis stated, “While Commissioner Schwinn was speaking and being interactive with all those assembled, the idea hit me to introduce our Principal of the Year 2018-2019 and one of the longest serving Principals in Tennessee to the Commissioner.  She was honored to meet Mr. Pitts and spoke repeatedly of his wonderful career in education and service to the students of Cannon County.  He has served longer than any other principal – at three different schools, East Side – 19 years, Cannon County High School – 16 years, and Short Mountain School – 15 years.  This makes Mr. Pitts one of the longest serving principals in the State of Tennessee. His students, faculty, and staff have the utmost respect and love for this administrative icon in their school.  His former students number in the thousands and show their appreciation regularly.  We in Cannon County Schools are honored to call Mr. Pitts a distinguished colleague and personal friend! We also honor Mr. Pitts for personifying the Mission and Vision of Cannon County Schools – ‘Preparing All Students for Their Future’ through the New E3 = ‘Engaged in Excellence Every Day!’ even to the Tennessee Commissioner of Education!”

The well-being of Tennessee children has improved in many areas in the last 30 years, according to information in the KIDS COUNT® Data Book released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Despite having been ranked in the 40s in earlier years, the state’s overall rankings in recent years have hovered in the mid-30s, including its ranking of 36th in the 2019 report. 
“While changes in the way the data are collected limit our ability to compare this year’s ranking to older ones, TCCY is pleased Tennessee now ranks better than it did in the early days of its participation in KIDS COUNT when the state ranking was much nearer the bottom,” said Richard Kennedy, executive director of the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, the state’s KIDS COUNT affiliate.
 
Tennessee is among the top quarter of states with the greatest increase in the number of children between 1990 and 2017.
 
“Tennessee’s 1.5 million children are each born with potential for success if given the opportunities and support needed to nurture their growth,” said Kennedy. “The state’s future relies on them.”
 
The report recommends exerting time and effort to assure every one of these 1.5 million children is counted during the 2020 census. Most federal funds spent on children are allocated based on data collected by the census. TCCY’s Resource Mapping Report, released April 15, found that 38 percent of all dollars expended through the state budget for services to children came from federal sources. Excluding the state’s spending through its Basic Education Program, seven of every 10 dollars spent were federal dollars. When state spending matches required to draw down federal money are included, this figure rises to nine of every 10.
 
Tennessee’s 2019 ranking on how the state is providing opportunities and supports to children and families is based on rankings in four domains ‑ economic well-being, education, health and family and community context, each of which is comprised of four measures. Data from 2017, the most recent year available, is compared to data from 2010 to look at trends over time.
 
Tennessee’s highest rank is in the economic well-being domain at 32, and its lowest is for family and community context, where the state ranked 39.
 
The state’s ranked 33rd in the education domain, with 90 percent of Tennessee high school students graduating on time in 2017, the second-highest rate in the country.  However, the state had one of the lowest rates of young children attending pre-K programs, with over 60 percent not enrolled in any early childhood education..
 
Tennessee struggles with health issues and fell in the rankings to 33nd from 27th last year. Low birth weight continues to be a challenge, with 9.2 percent of babies born at low birth weight, higher than the national average of 8.3 percent, and one of the 10 highest rates in the country. The state’s ranking was also negatively affected by an increase in child and teen deaths driven by increases in suicide and homicide deaths, 60 percent of which involved firearms.
 
The 2019 Tennessee state budget has provided funding to address teen suicide deaths, which have risen since 2014. It increased mental and behavioral health spending and added $1.1 million to expand the state’s partnership with the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network.
 
The state improved slightly in the economic well-being domain, moving to 32nd from 33rd. Poverty continues to be a problem for the state, with one in five children living in poverty. However, the state has seen a 19 percent decline of children living in poverty and a 30 percent increase of teens in school or working since 2010.
 
The state has also shown progress in its lowest-ranking domain, family and community context, though the progress in some areas continues to fall behind the national average. Tennessee’s teen birth rate dropped from 43 per 1,000 in 2010 to 27 per 1,000 in 2017; however, rates in other states decreased at a faster rate, leaving Tennessee ranked 41. The state ranks near the center for children living in a home where no parent has a high school diploma, though the states sees slight improvements on this indicator over the past few years as the Drive to 55, with Tennessee Promise for youth graduating from high school and Tennessee Reconnect for returning students, continues.
 
“Tennessee has been a leader in good public policy, but we need to make sure all our children count,” said Kennedy.
 
 

Mrs. Connie Cantrell, Cafeteria Manager for Short Mountain School was named as “Employee of the Month” for June 2019 by Cannon County Schools. During the June Meeting of the Cannon County Board of Education on Thursday, June 13th, 2019, Mrs. Cantrell was recognized and presented a certificate by Cannon County Schools Director William F. Curtis for her service to her school and the Cannon County School System.  Employees are nominated by School Principals or School District Supervisors and are voted on during monthly Principal and Supervisor meetings regarding individuals who exemplify the Mission and Vision of Cannon County Schools.
Supervisor of Cannon County Schools Food Service, Mrs. Jennifer Insell commented, “Mrs. Connie Cantrell is truly a blessing to all the students at Short Mountain School.  She takes great pride in doing her job well every day.  I am blessed to be her supervisor. She has taught me more than I could ever teach her. Connie’s smile is contiguous and she gives her smile and laugh to each student every day. Cannon County School Food Service considers her one of the best.”

Short Mountain School Principal Mr. Robert Pitts stated regarding his employee, “Connie Cantrell, Cafeteria Manager at Short Mountain School began working in the cafeteria at Short Mountain in 1985 under the Supervisor of Food Services, Mrs. Margie McFerrin and Principal Claudette Alexander. She was promoted to cafeteria manager in 1987. At this time she is the longest serving cafeteria manager in our school system. Of the 34 years of service, the majority of them were perfect attendance. Connie and co-worker Nancy Francis prepare delicious meals. One parent on a Facebook post recently complimented our cafeteria staff, saying, ‘Short Mountain is a school with a cafeteria staff that will feed your child even if you forget to send lunch money for two weeks!’ We, Short Mountain School teachers, staff, students, and parents appreciate her dedication and service.”

Director of Cannon County Schools, Mr. William F. Curtis commented “Mrs. Connie Cantrell is an exceptional employee. Her dedication, commitment, and caring nurture for our students is outstanding. I believe Mrs. Connie Cantrell personifies our Mission of Cannon County Schools of ‘Preparing All Students for their Future’ by most assuredly being ‘The New E3 – Engaged in Excellence Every Day.’  Congratulations to Mrs. Connie Cantrell for being an impactful ‘Team Player’ in our Cannon County Schools family and specifically Short Mountain School.”

In 2018, there were over 24,600 crashes involving a distracted driver in Tennessee. On average, that is sixty-seven crashes every single day. A recent study listed Tennessee as having the highest rate of distracted driving deaths in the nation – nearly five times the national average.
While tracking vehicles crashes related to distracted driving over the last 10 years has generated an average of 18 times annually in Cannon County.  In 2016, a high of 2016 distracted high of 37.

Several state agencies are working together to make every effort to inform citizens of the new state law restricting citizens from driving and using a cellphone.

The collective education effort is called “Hands Free Tennessee” and is comprised of the Tennessee Department of Homeland Security and Safety, Tennessee Department of Tourism and Tennessee Department of Transportation.