News

On Thursday March 28, 2019 the Town of Woodbury Water Department will close Sunny Slope Road between McFerrin Street and Bryant Lane at 8:30 A.M.  This is required so that work may be completed on water and sewer lines.  Woodbury Water Department realizes that this is an inconvenience and will work to complete the work as quickly as possible so that the road will be reopened in a timely manner.  We thank you for your patience and understanding. Shane Gannon, Public Works Director, Town of Woodbury
 

Tennessee has the highest dementia-linked death rate in the country with 90.1 people per 100,000 of its population dying from dementia-related causes, reports financial news Web site 247wallst.com.  24/7 also found that the number of people living with dementia worldwide is projected to triple over the next 30 years. 
Six of the ten States with the Highest Dementia-Linked Death Rates are in the South.  Kentucky is second to Tennessee.
 
In 2017, 66.7 people per 100,000 people died from dementia-related causes in the United States, up from 30.5 dementia deaths per 100,000 people in 2000. The death rates from dementia-related causes were fairly steady between 2013 and 2016 but increased noticeably from 2016 to 2017 in all age groups at highest risk — 65 to 74, 75 to 84, and 85 and older — as well as all races.
 
Dementia-related death rates vary across states. Several states with highest dementia-related death rates are in the South, while several states with the lowest dementia-related death rates are in the West.
 

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) mobile household hazardous waste collection service will be in three counties on Saturday, April 6.Tennesseans are encouraged to bring household hazardous waste – including cleaning fluids, pesticides, batteries and more – to a designated drop-off location. A person does not need to live in the county to participate.
The closest site for Cannon County will be Murfreesboro Solid Waste Department, 4765 Florence Rd., Murfreesboro, 8 a.m.-Noon CDT. The local contact is Mimi Keisling at (615) 542-4633.
“We encourage all Tennesseans with eligible materials to participate in this no-cost  program,” said TDEC Commissioner David Salyers. “This is a way to dispose of common hazardous materials in an environmentally responsible way.
Since the program’s inception in 1993, 350,000 Tennessee households have properly disposed of more than 22 million pounds of material.
Household hazardous waste materials are considered flammable, toxic, reactive and/or corrosive and should not be placed with regular garbage. Typical items to dispose of include cleaning fluids, pesticides, mercury thermometers and thermostats, fluorescent lamps, lithium and button batteries, aerosols, adhesives, medications, brake fluid, swimming pool chemicals, paint thinner and used needles in sturdy containers. Items not accepted include ammunition, explosives, alkaline batteries, paint, electronics and any empty containers that should be disposed in normal trash.
While household waste may be disposed for free, there is a cost for disposal of Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator Waste (i.e. wastes from non-household sources such as businesses, schools, farms, churches, etc.)  An appointment is also necessary. Call (615) 643-3170 to request a price quote and schedule an appointment.
Many counties and municipalities meet the needs of local residents by providing collection of batteries, oil, paint, antifreeze and electronic scrap – or BOPAE, as it is sometimes called. When handled correctly, these BOPAE materials are minimally hazardous, but inappropriate for collection at household hazardous waste events. Tennesseans are encouraged to contact their local city or county solid waste department to find BOPAE collection sites in their area.
When transporting materials to the site, place containers in sturdy boxes lined with newspaper to prevent spills and cross-contamination in the trunk of a car or back of a truck. Be sure to keep materials away from children and pets.
For more information on the household hazardous waste mobile collection service, please call 1-800-287-9013 or visit https://www.tn.gov/environment/sw-mm-household-hazardous-waste-program.html.
 
 

With the arrival of spring, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is reminding Tennesseans to keep fire safety at the top of their ‘to do’ lists as they start spring house cleaning or hit the road for a quick getaway. 
“Spring provides the perfect opportunity to get outside and get some work done around your home and yard,” said Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Julie Mix McPeak. “As the weather turns warmer, we’re encouraging Tennesseans to always keep fire safety in mind at home or traveling to ensure that their spring remains fire-safe.”
 
To help consumers practice focused fire prevention this spring, the SFMO has created a checklist to add to consumers’ spring ‘to-do’ lists:
 
SMOKE ALARMS

Test alarms to ensure they are working. Replace batteries, if necessary.

Place working smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of a home, including the basement.

Check the age of the smoke alarm on the back of the unit. If the unit is 10 years old or older, it no longer provides reliable fire protection.

If you need a free working smoke alarm, contact your local fire department today.

 
PLAN YOUR ESCAPE

Create or update a home fire escape plan for your family. The SFMO has a free escape plan grid with instructions that you can download online.

Ensure everyone in the home knows two ways out of each room.

Check that all windows are easily opened. If security bars are present, ensure they have a quick-release device that is accessible from inside your home.

Practice home fire drills with the entire family.

Remove any items that may block your way out of the room or your home. Remember, your exit routes may change as new items are brought into the home.

 
CLOSE THE DOOR

When going to bed at night, close the door. A closed door can hinder the spread of deadly smoke and flames, potentially adding invaluable seconds to your escape.

In the event of a house fire, close the door behind you as you exit when possible. This can drastically reduce property damage and fire spread.

 
OUTDOOR FIRE SAFETY

Reduce your chances of an accidental home fire that starts outdoors by removing leaves, pine needles, and other flammable materials from your roof and gutter. Remove dead vegetation and other flammable materials from around your home’s exterior. Also, keep construction materials, trash, and woodpiles at least 30 feet away from the home to prevent an accidental fire from spreading to your home.

Before firing up a grill, check the gas tank hose for leaks and clean any grease or fat buildup that may be left over from previous barbecues.

If you’re planning to conduct an outdoor burn, remember that burn permits are required in Tennessee from October 15 – May 15. Always check with local authorities to make sure there are no additional local restrictions in place.

Do not throw out cigarettes into vegetation, potted plants or landscaping, peat moss, dried grasses, mulch, leaves, or other similar items—they can easily catch fire.

 
GOING ON VACATION?

Choose a hotel or vacation rental that is equipped with both hard-wired smoke alarms and fire sprinklers.*

During check in, ask the front desk attendant what the fire alarm sounds like.

When you enter your room, review the posted escape plan. This is often found on the back of the door.

If the fire alarm is sounding, use the stairs. Never use an elevator in the event of a fire.

If you must escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your exit.

If the fire is in your room, get out quickly, sound the fire alarm, and notify the front desk.

*The Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990 was enacted by Congress to save lives and protect property by promoting fire and life safety in hotels, motels, and other places of public accommodation. Fire safety in places of public accommodation is encouraged through creation of a National Master List (NML) of hotel and motel properties that voluntarily comply with the provisions of the Act. The U.S. Fire Administration encourages the traveling public to use the list when making reservations for lodging accommodations, be they for business or pleasure. To search the list, go to http://apps.usfa.fema.gov/hotel/.
 
For more tips on keeping your family fire safe year-round, visit tn.gov/fire.
 

The DeKalb Telephone Cooperative, Inc. doing business as DTC Communications Board of Directors appointed Brian Alexander to fill the unexpired term of his deceased brother, Michael Alexander, continuing the family’s service to the cooperative. Alexander joins the 10-member board responsible for overseeing the cooperative. 
“We’ve lived in and been serving people in the DTC area for all of our lives,” Alexander says. “Growing up locally, we’ve met many people and made great friends along the way. I want to continue our family’s history of service and fulfill my brother’s commitment to the members of DTC Communications.”
 
Alexander serves in the Woodbury area as a rural mail carrier. He started his career with the US Postal Service in 1998.
He is a graduate of Cannon County High School. Alexander and his wife, Andrea, have been married for 18 years and have two sons: Braxten, 15; and Andrew, 8.
Now, Alexander hopes to continue the dedication his brother gave to the DTC board, employees, and members. “I really appreciate the opportunity the DTC board has given me to complete my brother’s elected term. He loved representing the Woodbury community and serving all of the members of the cooperative.”
 
Michael Alexander, 53, died from injuries he received in an automobile accident on January 11 in Cannon County. Just more than a year remains of his board term.

With the growing popularity of protein-packed diets, farmers across Tennessee say the demand for meat is on the rise, and that trend is expected to continue. 
Animals and animal products accounted for nearly 40 percent of Tennessee agricultural sales in 2017, generating $1.4 billion.
 
“A three-ounce serving of beef—about the size of an iPhone—provides more than ten essential nutrients, including protein, iron, zinc, and vitamins B12 and B6,” Valerie Bass, Executive Director of the Tennessee Beef Industry Council, said. “One serving of beef contains about half of your daily value for protein in an average of 170 calories.”
 
With Easter around the corner, several producers are already selling out of farm fresh meats. “Grass fed leg of lamb makes a wonderful Easter dinner that also supports local farms,” according to Jess Wilson of Summer Fields in Grundy County.
 
Go to www.PickTNProducts.org or use the free Pick Tennessee mobile app to find a local meat producer or farmers market near you.
 

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s charter school bill passed in both the Tennessee General Assembly House and Senate education committees just one day after Gov. Lee’s education savings account proposal advanced from the House curriculum subcommittee.  
According to the governor, “With the legislature’s hard work, school choice has momentum and we are working together to put students first and strengthen our public education system. Low-income students deserve the same opportunities and we have a bold plan that levels the playing field while also focusing improvement on the lowest-performing school districts.”
 
Parents, legislators, educators and advocates from across the state praised Gov. Lee’s efforts to focus on students and expand educational opportunity.
 
Opponents fear support for charter schools will weaken public schools and reallocate  needed resources.
 

State Representative Clark Boyd is cosponsoring an initiative to strengthen penalties against caller ID spoofing. 
As introduced, House Bill 1245 increases the civil penalty amount from $10,000 to $25,000 per violation that the attorney general and reporter may recover in an action against a person who commits the offense of caller identification spoofing. The bill also clarifies that each call received by a subscriber wherein the caller identification information is misleading or inaccurate constitutes a separate violation for purposes of imposing the civil penalty.
 
According to Rep. Boyd, “Over the last year I have heard from countless people in the district about the amount of phone calls they are receiving on a daily basis often times from organizations who are using caller ID spoofing as a way to scam people. Tennessee is now taking steps to address this issue, and House Bill 1245 moves us in the right direction to deter spoofing. Although this is an issue that is primarily under the jurisdiction of the FCC at the federal level, I will continue to support this initiative and others that curb this growing issue, and I encourage Tennesseans to be mindful and alert when answering phone calls.”
 

The Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) announced a significant increase in the state’s overall seat belt usage rate, compared to previous years. The usage rate rose from 88.5 percent in 2017 to 90.9 percent in 2018. This marks the first year Tennessee’s usage rate surpassed 90 percent. Tennessee’s 2018 usage rate also exceeded the national usage rate of 90.1 percent. 
“Tennessee is the 24th state to achieve 90 percent seat belt usage,” said THSO Director Vic Donoho. “We appreciate the substantial efforts made by the legislature, law enforcement, and local communities to reach this milestone. Moving forward, we will continue striving to achieve 100 percent.”
 
Highlights from Tennessee’s 2018 seat belt survey are as follows.

Research data was collected at 190 pre-identified roadway locations across the State of Tennessee.

 

Researchers observed more than 27,000 front-seat vehicle occupants.

 

Vehicles observed included cars, pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs.

 

Overall, female occupants displayed a higher usage rate (94.8 percent) than males (88.3 percent).

 

Pickup trucks displayed the lowest usage rate (84.24 percent).

 
This data was collected through an annual roadside observational survey conducted by the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s Center for Transportation Research. Tennessee’s seat belt usage rate has been certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
 
 

Governor Bill Lee has announced that Tennessee will participate in the Girls Go CyberStart competition. In partnership with the SANS institute, this initiative will empower female high school students to explore opportunities in studying cybersecurity.   
“We are working toward propelling Tennessee to the top 25 states for job creation in the technology sector by 2022,” said Lee. “Tennessee is excited to partner with this program to encourage young women to develop their talents in high-skill STEM-related fields.”
 
Girls Go CyberStart is an innovative and interactive competition that guides participants through a variety of challenges and puzzles which test decision-making skills and introduces concepts such as open-source intelligence, cryptography, and web application and more to spark an interest in computer science and cybersecurity.
 
Participants are eligible for 400 scholarships of $500 each for the college of their choice. The three high schools in Tennessee that have the most participants will win awards ranging from $500 to $1,000.
 
“The nation desperately needs more highly-skilled cyber professionals,” said SANS Director of Research, Alan Paller. “We have new evidence that CyberStart radically improves the quality and preparation of people entering the cybersecurity field. Women are woefully underrepresented in the technical side of cybersecurity, but by opening CyberStart to tens of thousands of high school girls, we may be able to help the nation identify the next generation of talented people who will excel in this critical field.”
 
Almost 8 percent of Tennessee’s projected job openings from 2017-2022 are in STEM-related fields. Governor Lee is focused on developing Tennessee’s data-driven, technology-focused workforce, and is committed to providing these opportunities to all Tennessee students.
 
More information on Girls Go CyberStart: girlsgocyberstart.org. More information on Cyber FastTrack: cyber-fasttrack.org.