News

Due to continued hazardous weather and travel conditions across Tennessee, including snow and ice, Governor Bill Lee has closed state offices on Wednesday, January 17, 2024.

State services offered online will remain available and state employees will continue to utilize work from home capabilities where possible.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) continues to strongly urge motorists to limit travel. TDOT and local road crews are working around the clock to ensure roads are passable; please don’t crowd the plows and never pass them. We want all motorists and our crews to remain safe.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) is monitoring extremely cold temperatures that are not expected to reach above freezing until at least Thursday.

Due to increased demand on the power system, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has asked customers to reduce electric power use as much as possible without sacrificing safety between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. CST on Wednesday, January 17.

Tennesseans are urged to exercise caution and avoid non-essential travel on Wednesday, January 17.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is asking consumers to take special steps to conserve electricity between 6-10 a.m. Wednesday, as the power supplier will be working to meet record power demand amid zero-degree temperatures. TVA asks customers across the Valley to do the following between 6-10 a.m.: Lower your thermostat by two or three degrees, if safe to do so. Postpone using large appliances (washer/dryer, stove/oven, dishwasher, etc.). Postpone use of hot water. Turn off and unplug non-essential lights and appliances. Commercial Business: Turn off any lights and office equipment (or place in sleep mode) when space not in use. Commercial Business: Turn off air-conditioning/heating outside of business hours. TVA has made significant system improvements and expansion since December of 2022, when the agency lacked adequate capacity to meet customer demand and required local power companies to perform rolling blackouts to secure the power grid. It was the first time in the agency’s 90-year history it was unable to meet power demand. Power demand projections for Wednesday morning exceed what the area experienced in December of 2022, but TVA is better positioned to deliver thanks to its improvements. With some extra help from consumers by taking the suggested actions for conservation Wednesday morning, TVA will be that much better positioned to meet what is expected to be a record peak demand. TVA’s all-time peak demand record sits at just less than 33,482 megawatts. Wednesday morning’s peak is expected to reach approximately 36,000 megawatts.

Roads in Cannon County remain hazardous. The Cannon County Emergency Operations Center is open and being staffed around the clock by Rescue Squad Volunteer First Responders.

Rescue Squad members are responding with Cannon County EMS on every ambulance call. Cannon County EMS has increased staffing levels. Cannon County 911 Emergency Communications District have increased staffing levels. Cannon County Emergency Management Agency continue to monitor weather conditions.

Several stations of the Cannon County Firefighters and First Responders have Volunteer Firefighters standing by at the stations in case of fire calls. As nighttime approaches, and temperatures continued to decrease, we expect roads to ice over completely. Even snow plows are not immune to treacherous roads. Please shelter in place and remain off the roads unless completely necessary.

If you must get out, please use extreme caution on any roads that are not plowed and salted.

Source: Cannon County Rescue Squad

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.