News

Due to hazardous driving conditions, Cannon County Schools and the Central Office will be closed today and Wednesday. Additionally, all extracurricular activities and ball games are canceled.

No classes today at Middle Tennessee State University and all Motlow State locations will be open virtually until Thursday.

Garbage route in Woodbury for today will run on Friday. Any questions may be directed to Shane Gannon at 615-563-4221.

Cannon County offices will be closed Today due to the weather.  The convenience center will also be closed.

Some local businesses like Jennings Jewelers and the Arts Center will be closed. Woodbury Drug Center is working a reduced schedule and will only be open today from 10 until 3.

Please be advised that, due to inclement weather, the offices of Upper Cumberland  will remain closed today. Additionally, U C H R A  Public Transportation’s Go Routes (the continuous city routes in Algood, Cookeville, Crossville, and McMinnville) will not run today.

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, blanket and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

If you have a closing or meeting cancelation to report, send an email to askus@wbry.com.

WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING

WHAT…Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of around 3 up to 4.5 inches possible.

WHERE…All of Middle Tennessee.

WHEN…From Sunday evening through Tuesday morning.

IMPACTS…Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. The cold wind chills as low as 5 below zero could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken.

As colder temperatures settle in, Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE) offers some simple energy-efficiency tips to help members manage their energy costs. Be smart with your thermostat. Set your heating system’s thermostat to 68o or a comfortable and safe temperature. You can expect to add around 3% to your electric bill for each degree above 68o. Wear additional layers and bundle up to stay warm. Lower your water heater temperature. Set water heaters to 120oF and reduce hot water use by taking shorter showers. Use cold water for laundry whenever possible. Seal and caulk leaks around windows and doors. You can also use cardboard, plastic or blankets to minimize heat loss. Open window covers on the sunny side of your home for additional warmth and close them overnight to retain that heat. Rotate the direction of your ceiling fans. Blades should rotate clockwise during the winter. This pulls cold air up and helps push warm air back down to you, as warm air naturally rises to the ceiling. The fan should run at the lowest speed. Replace return air filters. Keep your heating and air conditioning equipment clean and well-maintained. A dirty filter will slow airflow and make the system work harder to keep you warm. Turn off the dishwasher’s heat-drying options. Air dry dishes instead of using the dishwasher’s heat-drying options. Delay using large appliances. Delay using washing machines, dryers, dishwashers and other large appliances until the warmest part of the day when overall heating demand is lower. Utilize the myMTE app. The myMTE app has a suite of useful tools, including one showing the hours when a member’s household uses the most energy. Members can compare those hours with the temperature outside to get a better view of how much electricity is used when temperatures are lower. Consider the Levelized plan. This option allows members to pay roughly the same amount on their bill each month, removing any extreme month-to-month fluctuations caused by weather, energy use and other factors. It is calculated by taking an average of energy use for the previous 12 months and will only have moderate variations each month. Contact MTE at 877-777-9020 or visit mte.com/MyEnergyPlan to learn more.     In addition to these tips, MTE has a team of energy efficiency experts ready to help members manage their electric use. To take advantage of this free service, visit mte.com/HomeEnergyCheckups for more information or call 877-777-9020 to speak to a trusted energy advisor.   For additional energy tips and resources, visit mte.com/EnergyTips.

Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter and Unitech North America, LLC officials announced today the company will invest $30 million to locate its first U.S. facility in Tennessee. 

In phase one of the project, Unitech will create 75 new jobs in Warren County with plans to grow through future expansions. 

The Morrison location will specialize in the production of thermal adhesives and battery compression pads for electric vehicle battery manufacturers across the Southeast as well as industrial adhesives and sealers for its automotive customers. 

Unitech North America, LLC is a subsidiary of Unitech Co., Ltd., which is headquartered in Ansan, South Korea, and is a leading manufacturer of adhesives and sealants. The expansion to Tennessee represents Unitech’s first location in the U.S. and will join the company’s other operations in Europe and Asia.

Since 2019, TNECD has supported nearly 30 economic development projects in the Upper Cumberland region, resulting in approximately 2,700 job commitments and $840 million in capital investment. 

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) can assure motorists it is stocked and ready to clear roadways of ice and snow. Salt supplies have been replenished in all 95 counties in preparation for the winter season, and crews have readied snowplows and brine trucks.

“Roads are our number one responsibility, and we prepare for winter weather months in advance,” said Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. “Our salt bins and our brine are fully stocked, and our employees are ready to mobilize in the event of inclement weather. Clearing our roadways as soon as we can is vital to keeping motorists safe and traffic moving in Tennessee.”

TDOT’s statewide 2023/2024 winter weather budget is $26.6 million and includes salt, salt brine, overtime for employees, and equipment maintenance. The department has three salt vendors to refill salt bins as needed in all 95 Tennessee counties.

TDOT currently has 244,000 tons of salt and more than 1.6 million gallons of salt brine ready for use.  Salt brine is a salt/water mixture used for pre-treating roads before a winter storm or to melt snow on roadways when temperatures are hovering around the freezing mark. Salt is applied to roads once snow accumulates.

When snow hits Tennessee, TDOT ice and snow removal teams focus first on clearing interstates and heavily traveled state routes specifically targeting areas vulnerable to freezing, such as hills, curves, ramps, bridges, and interchanges. During prolonged weather events, crews may have to clear roadways repeatedly.

For winter weather tips, travel information, and a regional breakdown of TDOT winter weather supplies and equipment, visit the TDOT website https://www.tn.gov/tdot/inclement-weather/ice-snow.html.

Cannon County Schools has announced Andrew Bartsch as Head Football Coach/Teacher at Cannon County High School beginning with the 2024-2025 School Year. Coach Bartsch will conduct spring workouts and practice with the team. His teaching duties will begin in the fall.

Bartsch has earned multiple teaching endorsements throughout his 20-year career
as an educator and has experience as both a Head Coach and Assistant Coach, most recently at Shelbyville Central High School and Smyrna High School. He also served as Cannon County High School’s head football coach from 2008 to 2009.

Coach Bartsch has experience in all facets of player development, including Offensive and Defensive Coordinator positions.

Cannon County High School Principal Courtney Nichols said, “I was impressed with Coach Bartsch’s extensive resume both on the field and in the classroom. I am excited about the energy and enthusiasm he will bring to Cannon County High School Football and the whole school community.”

Cannon County High School Athletic Director Lydia Garrett said, “Coach Bartsch fulfilled the criteria we were looking for in a Head Coach. He has valuable experience at successful programs, and I believe he will quickly build relationships with the players to provide a smooth transition.”

Bonnie Patterson, director of Cannon County Schools, said, “We welcome Coach Bartsch to Cannon County Schools. His work as an assistant coach at Shelbyville and Smyrna High School over the past few years, and as an effective classroom teacher, will help our young men excel both on and off the field.”

Cannon County Schools welcomes Andrew Bartsch as CCHS Head Football Coach and looks forward to excellence at Cannon County High School, both in the classroom and in athletics.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s Murfreesboro Driver Services Center, located at 1035 Samsonite Boulevard, which closed for a planned remodel in September, will reopen to the public on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. 

The newly refurbished full-service center has fresh paint, updated flooring, a larger waiting area and additional counter space to serve Tennesseans. This center provides driver license and identification card issuance; vision, knowledge and skills testing; motor vehicle records; handgun permit applications; voter registration and organ donor registration during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central.

The holidays are a festive time. But binge drinking alcohol can place you and others in harm’s way. What is binge drinking:

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08%—or 0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter—or more. This typically happens if a woman has four or more drinks, or a man has five or more drinks, within about 2 hours. Research shows that fewer drinks in the same time frame result in the same BAC in youth: only three drinks for girls and three to five drinks for boys, depending on their age and size.

Need help? You’re not alone! Call/Text TN REDLINE 800-889-9789

According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), about 60 million, or 21.5%, of people in the United States ages 12 and older reported binge drinking during the past month.^2,3 Although binge drinking is a concern among all age groups, there are important trends in the following groups.

• Preteens and Teens: Rates of binge drinking among young people have been steadily decreasing in the last decade. Still, according to 2022 data from the Monitoring the Future survey, 2.2% of 8th graders, 5.9% of 10th graders, and 12.6% of 12th graders reported binge drinking in the past 2 weeks.
• Young Adults: Rates of binge drinking among people ages 18 to 22 have been decreasing in the past decade, but remain high. According to the 2021 NSDUH, 49.3% of full-time college students ages 18 to 22 drank alcohol in the past month, and about 27.4% of students engaged in binge drinking during that same time frame.
• Older Adults: Binge drinking is on the rise among older adults—more than 11.4% of adults ages 65 and older reported binge drinking in the past month, and the prevalence is increasing. The increase in this group is of particular concern because many older adults use medications that can interact with alcohol, have health conditions that can be exacerbated by alcohol, and may be more susceptible to alcohol-related falls and other accidental injuries.
• Women: Studies show that among U.S. women who drink, approximately 1 in 4 have engaged in binge drinking in the last month, averaging about three binge episodes per month and five drinks per binge episode. These trends are concerning because women are at increased risk for health problems related to alcohol misuse.

Although drinking any amount of alcohol can carry certain risks, crossing the binge threshold increases the risk of acute harm, such as blackouts and overdoses. Binge drinking also increases the likelihood of unsafe sexual behavior and the risk of sexually transmitted infections and unintentional pregnancy. These risks are greater at higher peak levels of consumption. Because of the impairments it produces, binge drinking also increases the likelihood of a host of potentially deadly consequences, including falls, burns, drownings, and car crashes.

Alcohol affects virtually all tissues in the body. Data suggest that even one episode of binge drinking can compromise function of the immune system and lead to acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) in individuals with underlying pancreatic damage. Over time, alcohol misuse, including repeated episodes of binge drinking, contributes to liver and other chronic diseases as well as increases the risk of several types of cancer, including head and neck, esophageal, liver, breast, and colorectal cancers. Binge drinking can be deadly. Approximately 140,000 deaths resulted from alcohol misuse annually in the United States between 2015 and 2019, and almost half of those were associated with binge drinking. Binge drinking is also costly. Researchers estimated that binge drinking accounted for 77% of the $249 billion (i.e., $191.1 billion) economic cost of alcohol misuse in 2010.

Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter recently approved $36.6 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) including Cannon County, which will assist communities with infrastructure improvements, housing rehabilitations and health and safety initiatives.

“Congratulations to the 78 communities receiving funding through the latest round of Community Development Block Grants,” said Lee. “What happens in rural Tennessee matters to all Tennesseans, and these infrastructure improvements will be key in preparing communities for future economic development opportunities and continued growth. 

The allocation of CDBG funds is based on priorities set through the public meeting process at the local community level. The CDBG program is funded through Housing and Urban Development and administered in Tennessee by the Department of Economic and Community Development. Funds are available for water and sewer improvements, housing rehabilitation, health and safety projects and other improvements to enhance the quality of life in Tennessee’s rural communities.

In addition to traditional community improvement and safety projects, funding was also made available for community development projects, such as sidewalk and walking trail improvements, street paving and community centers. 

“Recruiting companies to Tennessee and supporting our state’s existing business is a small part of our role at TNECD. Before we can land a new project, celebrate an expansion or provide support to small businesses, we have to ensure that our communities have the infrastructure and quality of life to support and attract these economic development opportunities,” said McWhorter. “The latest round of Community Development Block Grants is assisting 78 of Tennessee’s communities with needed updates that will boost their quality of life for years to come.” 

Grants coming to Cannon and surrounding counties include; 

Applicant	Project Title	Award Amount
Cannon County	Fire Protection	$420,000
DeKalb County	Ambulance Service	$352,497
McMinnville	Sewer System Enhancements	$630,000

Each application was supported by the community’s senator and representatives in the Tennessee General Assembly.

An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Medicaid Fraud Control Division has resulted in the arrest of a McMinnville woman, charged with theft and financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

As the result of a referral from Adult Protective Services, TBI agents, working with the Murfreesboro Police Department, began investigating an allegation of theft from a home care patient by a paid caregiver in Murfreesboro. During the course of the investigation, agents developed information that Tashius Pleasant, who was employed by a home healthcare company, used the victim’s funds to make personal purchases totaling more than $20,000 during a period from 2022 to 2023.

On November 9^th, the Rutherford County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Tashius Tarese Pleasant with one count of Financial Exploitation of an Elderly/ Vulnerable Adult and one count of Theft over $10,000. Pleasant was booked at the Rutherford County Jail, on a bond of $52,000.