News

Cannon County Schools announced on Monday that an outstanding individual and leader was chosen to be Cannon County’s representative for Supervisor of the Year! 
Supervisor of the Year 2018-2019 for Cannon County Schools is Mrs. Bonnie Patterson.  She was honored at a Staff Meeting of all Central Office Personnel on Monday, February 25th, 2019 to announce her selection as Supervisor of the Year for Cannon County by Director of Schools William F. Curtis. Mrs. Patterson has served Cannon County for the past thirty-eight years. During her tenure with the school system, she has served the children of Cannon County as a teacher at Woodland School, Woodbury Grammar School, Cannon County High School, Cannon County High School Assistant Principal, and was Principal at Woodbury Grammar School before assuming her current position as the district’s Attendance Supervisor and Coordinated School Heath Supervisor. Mrs. Patterson is married to Mr. Eddie Patterson and they reside in Centertown, TN. They have three grown children – Megan, Clint, and Kaitlin and five grandchildren.
 
Director of Cannon County Schools Mr. William F. Curtis stated, “Mrs. Bonnie Patterson is one of the most giving and caring individuals that I have known in education.  As Attendance Supervisor she deals with students, parents, other agencies, and the juvenile court system.”  Juvenile Court Judge Susan Melton recently stated, “Mrs. Patterson is a ‘jewel’ and aids the court in working with families through difficult circumstances.”  Director Curtis further stated, “I am dependent on Mrs. Patterson on multiple issues because of her tremendous expertise from safety issues to family issues regarding students.  She was instrumental in the recent establishment of a Pre-Truancy Hearing where parents/guardians meet with Judge Melton before having to go to actual Juvenile Court regarding truancy.  Cannon County Schools are extremely fortunate to have a person such as Mrs. Patterson and her skills in our School System.”
 
The Cannon County Board of Education offers congratulations to this wonderful and deserving educator.  She will be representing Cannon County Schools in the Upper Cumberland CORE Region of Tennessee.  We honor Cannon County Schools Supervisor Mrs. Bonnie Patterson 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!”
 

A resolution sponsored by State Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) that reaffirms Tennessee’s friendship with Israel and expresses unequivocal support for the nation, unanimously passed the State Senate on Thursday. The resolution also recognizes Israel’s longstanding relationship with the U.S. and notes joint military efforts between the two countries in fighting terrorism. 
 
“I think it’s important that as a state we stand up and reach out to Israel as we have done in the past and express our support for the nation.”
 
 
Passage of the resolution follows controversy earlier this week surrounding an anti-Semitic social media post from U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN). 
 
 
In 1996, former Governor Don Sundquist signed the Tennessee-Israel Cooperation Agreement with Israel, resulting in business, government, art, cultural, educational and university activities that strengthened the historic ties between Tennessee and Israel. 
 
 
In 2015, the General Assembly voted to approve a resolution which condemns the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and increasing anti-Semitism.  The BDS movement, for which Omar has expressed support, encourages companies to boycott Israeli goods and services. 
 
 
“It is imperative that we must, at every turn, fight anti-Semitism and in all ways possible stand with the Nation of Israel,” said Pody.
 
 
A signing of the resolution is set to occur on March 7th. Members from the Consulate of Israel will be attending the event as well as celebrities Ricky Skaggs and Irlene Mandrell. Invitations to the signing have also been sent to the Jewish community. 
 

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announcedTennessee’s Severe Weather Awareness Week is Feb. 24 to March 2, 2019, and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), Tennessee Association of Broadcasters (TAB), and the National Weather Service (NWS) are asking Tennesseans to make severe weather planning and preparedness a priority.“Severe weather, natural disasters, and man-made threats can happen anytime and increase in magnitude without warning,” Gov. Lee said. “Tennesseans can prepare now for floods, severe weather, and tornadoes so they can be ready to take life-saving actions to protect themselves and their families should the need arise.”
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s Severe Weather Awareness Week Proclamation is at: https://tnsos.net/publications/proclamations/files/1624.pdf.
 
NWS Awareness and Education Events
NWS offices in Nashville, Memphis, Morristown, and Huntsville, Ala. are planning a series of education and training events, using each day of Severe Weather Awareness Week to focus on a different severe weather threat. Information on the NWS activities is available at www.weather.gov/ohx/swaw2019.
 
“Severe Weather Awareness Week is a time when Tennesseans are encouraged to begin and/or evaluate their family’s severe weather safety plan,” said Krissy Hurley, NWS warning coordination meteorologist. “Knowing what to do during severe weather while at work, school, or play is the ultimate key in survival and safety. Because it’s not if severe weather will strike Tennessee, it’s merely a question of when.”
A highlight of the week will be the statewide tornado drill NWS will conduct at 9:30 a.m., CST, on Wed., Feb. 27, 2019. The drill will also include a statewide test of NOAA weather radios.
 
 
Severe Weather Situational Awareness
 
TAB is urging Tennesseans to make sure they have multiple ways to receive weather information and updates, as well as public alerts and warnings when a flood, tornado, or other threat is imminent.
 
“Tennessee’s broadcasters take severe weather, and any threat that risks human life, seriously when we coordinate with local, state, and federal officials to activate the Emergency Alert System,” said Whit Adamson, TAB president.
TAB recommends thinking about how you will receive severe weather alerts and warnings at home, at the office, and when you are on the road. NOAA Weather Radio, broadcast radio and television mobile applications, and a and a variety of weather-specific mobile platforms can serve as alternate and back-up resources to notify citizens when to take protective actions in severe weather emergencies.
 
 
TEMA’s ReadyTN mobile application, available for Apple and Android devices, provides emergency preparedness, response, and recovery information, with features including:
 
• Basic emergency kit checklists and emergency checklists for special populations;
• Detailed descriptions and information on the major hazards in Tennessee;
• Notices of public alerts and warnings issued in Tennessee;
• A regional list of local emergency management agency contacts by county;
• Traffic updates from the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s SmartWay resource;
• Information on American Red Cross shelters that may be open near their locations in emergency situations; and,
• Immediate visual notification on TEMA’s operational status and whether a State of Emergency exists.
 
 
A complete list of ReadyTN’s features, as well as direct links to download, is available on TEMA’s website at www.tn.gov/ready-tn.html.
 
Severe Weather Preparedness Tips
 
TEMA’s website includes an emergency preparedness section at https://www.tn.gov/tema/prepare.html, with practical information on creating emergency
 
 
plans for yourself and your family, emergency planning for children, the top threats in Tennessee, local contact information for county-level emergency management agencies, and an area devoted to active shooter preparedness.
 
 
“TEMA wants to ensure Tennesseans are prepared for any man-made, natural, or technological hazards or disasters,” said TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan. “Severe weather, especially tornadoes, can occur any time in Tennessee, even though they are most common during the spring months of March, April, and May. Tennesseans and our visitors can learn how to understand the weather, ensure they have multiple ways to receive severe weather warnings, and plan to get themselves and their loved ones to safety when severe weather warnings are issued.”
 
 
Some basic severe weather advice includes:
 
• Never venture into high water, either on foot or in a vehicle.
• If you’re outside and hear thunder, go indoors immediately.
• Go to a basement or an innermost, first floor room in your home if you’re told to take shelter during a tornado warning.
• Know the location of and route to your office or building’s tornado shelter.
• Never try to outrun a tornado.
• Have an emergency plan ready at places where your family spends time – work, school, daycare, commuting and outdoor events.
• Emergency plans should include where to meet, and who family members should check in with, if you are separated from family members during a severe weather emergency.
 
 
At a minimum, emergency preparedness kits should include one gallon of water per-day, per-person, and per-pet, for three to five days. The kit should also have enough non-perishable food for each family member, and pets, for three to five days.
Other items that every kit should include: flashlight, battery-powered radio, extra batteries, first aid kit, personal hygiene items, cell phone charger or solar charger, copies of important family documents, and extra supplies of medications, especially for those with chronic health conditions.
 
 
A number of websites have resources to help individuals and families create emergency plans. The website, https://www.ready.gov/, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, https://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/disasters/, have information, fill-in-the-blank
documents, and other resources to help individuals and families assemble the basic components for personal emergency plans.
 
 
The U.S. Small Business Administration has emergency preparedness information for businesses at www.sba.gov/managing-business/running-business/emergency-preparedness. The Ready website also includes a workplace preparedness section at https://www.ready.gov/workplace-plans.
 
 

 Springtime in Tennessee means pesky weeds and troublesome pests will soon challenge homeowners and farmers. February is National Pesticide Safety Month, and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) is reminding homeowners, agricultural producers, utility companies, and pest control professionals about the importance of pesticide safety.
 
 
“Pesticides are a valuable tool for controlling weeds, diseases, and unwanted insects, but they must be used properly,” Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. said. “Misuse of this technology has the potential to cause harm to the applicator and neighboring crops, plants, and animals. TDA is a resource. Feel free to contact our pesticide section with questions about product labels or particular pesticides prior to making an application.”
 
 
When applying pesticides, federal law requires that you follow label directions and restrictions. Paying close attention to the directions for use, application restrictions, precautionary statements, and proper storage and disposal sections of a pesticide label is part of pesticide safety.
 
 
Label directions may include proper target sites, pests to be controlled, application methods, rates of application, maximum application rates (per treatment and per year), protective gear to be worn, and weather restrictions.
 
 
Tennessee applicators and the general public have access to training opportunities provided by University of Tennessee Extension. The Pesticide Safety and Education Program in Tennessee is a statewide educational program with the goal to protect the environment and public health from improper use of pesticides. Certain training programs, such as the dicamba training program, fulfill a portion of the federal requirements to apply pesticides.
 
 
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture works with commercial and private applicators, pesticide manufacturers and dealers, structural pest control operators, farmers, landscapers, utility companies, and others to ensure pesticide laws are followed for public safety. You will find more information on applying pesticides in Tennessee at www.tn.gov/agriculture/businesses/pesticides.
 

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee is asking Tennesseans today to follow the instructions of emergency officials and stay on alert due to rising flood waters and the potential for more severe weather this afternoon. 
“Our departments and agencies are monitoring the ongoing weather developments in our state and they are coordinating to be fully prepared,” Lee said.
 
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) is working with state and local officials through the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Nashville to monitor the weather situation, stay in contact with key information sources such as the National Weather Service (NWS), and U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers (USACE), and address any local need requests.
 
In response to the flooding and severe weather potential, this afternoon TEMA activated the Tennessee Emergency Management Plan and put a State of Emergency in Place in Tennessee.
Governor Lee was attending meetings in Washington, DC this weekend connected with the National Governor’s Association, and he is cutting his trip short and coming home this afternoon to better monitor the situation.
Besides TEMA staff, SEOC personnel include Emergency Service Coordinators from the Tennessee departments of Agriculture, Commerce and Insurance, Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Health, Human Services, Military, Safety, and Transportation, along with representatives from the American Red Cross and State Fire Marshall’s Office.
“Everyone should pay close attention to weather forecasts today and have multiple ways to receive weather watches and warnings,” said TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan. “Those who may have experienced any storm or flooding damage already should contact their county emergency management agencies to report issues, contact their insurance agencies, and keep track of any repairs they make.”
Other flooding response preparations are being made, including:
• The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is coordinating among state, local, and industry resources to identify immediate emergency agricultural and livestock needs and will work with the USDA to assess farm damages in the coming weeks.
• The Tennessee National Guard has readied aviation and boat resources for response and has sandbagging equipment and troops and airmen available to help if needed.
• The Fire Marshall’s Office and the Tennessee Fire Chiefs Mutual Aid System are coordinating potential mutual aid requests and readying swift-water rescue teams for potential deployment.
• TDEC is communicating with water and wastewater systems to ensure infrastructure is not impacted or damaged.
• USACE and the Tennessee Valley Authority are communicating the status of their dam projects and storage and flows along the rivers and tributaries to TEMA, and USACE Nashville has activated their flood monitoring unit and is actively working to ensure the best balance for safeguarding infrastructure, property and materials.
A cold front is already making its way through west Tennessee today and will bring with it the chance for thunderstorms, damaging winds, and the possibility of tornadoes. Flooding will continue to pose a threat as Flood Warnings remain in place across Tennessee through the weekend. An additional concern will be the toppling of trees due to wind and saturated soil.
 

The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Middle Tennessee including Cannon and surrounding counties. 
 
Heavy rainfall is likely today. Flash flooding will be very possible. Folks who live in southwest portions of Middle TN, including those west of I-24 and south of I-40 need to have a plan in place now in case the need arises to evacuate to higher ground. Please don`t take this lightly. Have somewhere to go at a moment`s notice to escape flood waters.
 
 
In addition, some strong to severe storms will be possible Saturday afternoon and evening. Damaging straight line winds and a couple tornadoes will be the main threat with these storms.
 
 
Because the possibility of flooding exists, Cannon County Schools and schools in all surrounding counties are closed today.
 
 
All Motlow State Community College campuses will be closed Friday, Feb. 22, and all classes are cancelled.
 
 
 
 
 

The Community Action Committee of Rutherford County, in coordination with the United States Department of Justice Community Relations Service, United States Attorney Office for the – Middle District of Tennessee, and Middle Tennessee State University, announces a free forum on “Protecting Places of Worship” Tuesday, March 5th at 4:30pm at Tucker Theater. 
The program will provide faith-based community leaders and members with information to help them develop and implement security measures, share information, and address potential risks, such as active shooter situations. The program will also include information on additional training that may be available in your area. Speakers include federal, state and local law enforcement officials, as well as a panel of various faith-based organizations.
 
The United States Department of Justice Community Relations Service and Community Action Committee of Rutherford County organized the program. All faith-based community leaders and members are welcome to attend. To R.S.V.P. for this free event, please visit www.eventbrite.com and search “Protecting Places of Worship Forum.” For questions, contact Rick Rodriguez, Community Action Committee of Rutherford County, at (615) 424-0023 or phowth@gmail.com
 
 
 

While the offer of free meals, door prizes, or free advice may lead you to attend a seminar when you wouldn’t otherwise, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) is reminding consumers that many insurance and financial firms contact middle-aged and older adults or host free meal seminars with the goal of selling insurance and financial products or services. 
 
“The offer to have a meal at an expensive restaurant while learning about insurance or investment products may sound enticing, but it’s important to ask yourself what the host is getting out of the event before committing to attend,” said TDCI Commissioner Julie McPeak. “It’s important to do your homework so that you go to the event prepared. Always remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
 
 
To help consumers protect themselves, TDCI’s Securities & Insurance Divisions offer the following tips for seminar goers:
 
BE SKEPTICAL

There is always a purpose to “free” seminars. Carefully read all forms before giving out your personal information because that information will likely be used to market products and services to you.

Review credentials closely. Some individuals will exaggerate credentials to suggest a certain amount of expertise.

Beware of companies or brokers who claim to endorsed by celebrities or regulating organizations. Remember: Entities like TDCI, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) do not endorse any particular company, broker, or product.

 
TAKE YOUR TIME

Never make final decisions at a seminar. Some seminars expose attendees to high-pressure tactics, frightening stories about people who don’t have enough money to live on in retirement, and promises of unrealistic returns.

Before you go to the seminar, decide that you won’t give out any personal information, sign any documents, or make any decisions while you’re there. 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Never purchase or invest in something you don’t understand.

WE’RE HERE TO HELP

Anyone can find themselves as the victim of fraud or scams. Don’t let embarrassment or fear keep you from asking for help. If you believe you’ve been misled or sold a product that wasn’t right for you, you can file a complaint with TDCI.

For more tips on being a savvy consumer and investor, visit our website.
 

Almost 20 roads and streets in Cannon County were covered with standing water Wednesday. The Cannon County Highway Department and Tennessee Deportment responded to the reports. A break in the rain will help in clearing some of those roads. 
Schools in Cannon, Coffee, DeKalb, Warren and Rutherford Counties are closed Thursday.
 
 A Hazardous Weather Outlook is still in effect for Cannon and all surrounding counties.
 
 
According to the National Weather Service, more rain will bring a continued threat of flash flooding Friday morning through Saturday night. Additional rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches will be possible across Middle Tennessee. These totals,
combined with the recent rainfall and already saturated ground, could lead to significant flooding across the area.
 
Some strong to potentially severe thunderstorms may affect parts of Middle Tennessee on Saturday or Saturday night. Damaging winds and flooding will be possible.
 

With the 111th General Assembly underway, you will hear and see stories about one of our elected officials representing Cannon County sponsoring or co-sponsoring a bill. Citizens have the ability to track those bills as they make their way in the halls of the capitol. 
Governor Bill Lee is inviting public comment on these bills.  According to the Governor’s website, “As part of my commitment to an open and transparent government, we have created this bill review page to invite public comments on bills passed by the General Assembly and presented to me for consideration. By bringing more Tennesseans into the process more directly, I believe we will increase accountability in how our laws are made.”
The website is: capitol.tn.gov/legislation.
 
A quick check of the site reflects that State Senator Mark Pody this session is sponsoring 47 bills, co-sponsoring 2 bills.  State Representative Clark Boyd is presently sponsoring 15 bills, co-sponsoring 11 bills.