News

United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties announces the opening of the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program for the upcoming tax season, February 1 – April 13, 2024.

The United Way VITA program is an IRS-supported tax preparation service, through which trained volunteers prepare taxes at no cost for qualifying individuals and families. The VITA program, along with My Free Taxes, connects community members with eligible credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC is a benefit for working people with at least one dependent and can mean more resources for essential needs such as reliable transportation, housing, and food.

According to Debbie Curtis, United Way’s VITA program coordinator, the program “is a wonderful example of how your local United Way works to improve the financial stability of everyone in our community, by helping to keep money in taxpayer pockets.

“We can offer this free service to qualified families and individuals through the assistance of very committed volunteers,” Curtis added.

During United Way’s 2023 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, more than 1,400 tax returns were completed, resulting in a $1.8 million investment through tax refunds, as well as $480,000 in reduced tax prep fees, for a total economic impact of over $2.2 million in Rutherford and Cannon counties. Through combined efforts with My Free Taxes, a free online filing service, the economic impact of the VITA program has consistently increased each year.

Since the VITA program’s inception in 2012, more than $15 million has been invested back into Rutherford and Cannon counties through tax refunds.

This year in-person appointments will be available at the Boys & Girls Club of Smyrna and Patterson Park Community Center. Additional mobile VITA sites will be available in Cannon County, Bedford County, Motlow’s Smyrna Campus, and the MTSU Jones College of Business.

Online appointments will be available for scheduling on January 20.  For more information, visit yourlocaluw.org/vita.

DeKalb County has lost a longtime attorney and former state representative.

Frank Buck, 80 of Dowelltown passed away on January 24, 2024, at NHC HealthCare in Smithville, Tennessee.

For 36 years, Buck represented the 40th district including DeKalb County in the Tennessee General Assembly. He was first elected to the position in 1972 and re-elected every two years thereafter for a total of 18 terms until his retirement in 2008.

Buck and his wife Lena for many years have practiced law from their downtown Smithville office firm of Buck & Buck Attorneys

Frank was born on September 26, 1943 in Trousdale County, Tennessee; the second son of the late John and Georgia Buck. He graduated from Lebanon High School, Tennessee Technological University, and the University of Tennessee College of Law. While at TTU, he married his wife, Lena Ann Graves Buck in 1962. After law school, Frank settled in DeKalb County, joining the law firm owned by McAllen Foutch. Eventually, Frank formed his own practice which would ultimately become Buck & Buck Attorneys when his wife, Lena, joined the practice as a partner in 1991.

In 1972, Frank ran for the Tennessee General Assembly representing DeKalb, Cannon, Smith, and part of Rutherford counties. He would go on to represent District 40 for the next thirty-six (36) years in the General Assembly. While in the House, he served as Chairman of the House Judiciary and Conservation and Environment Committees; and Vice-Chair of the Transportation Committee. Frank introduced many bills which bettered the lives of Tennesseans, including but not limited to the Lemonade Stand Bill, precluding the Department of Health from requiring certificates of health from lemonade stands; the Cup of Coffee Bill, which restrained lobbyists from buying meals and paying for travel expenses for the General Assembly and forcing disclosure of such acts; and the Tennessee Interstate Logos bill, which allows businesses to post their logos on interstate signs for motorists. Reflecting on his retirement from the legislature, Frank said, “I’ve been here 33 years, and when I retire from this place and when I see my constituents on the street, I’d like to have their respect that I did a good job for them and that I was an honorable public servant.” The Tennessean, (April 25, 2005).

His many honors included being named in 2005 Tennessean of the Year by The Tennessean Newspaper for his work on ethics; Chairman of the Tennessee Judicial Council for four (4) years; elected a Fellow by the Tennessee Bar Foundation; and the Common Cause Award for his Cup of Coffee Bill.

Frank was revered for his sharp legal mind, lively personality, and plain speech. In later years, he enjoyed retelling many stories involving his family and pranks while in the legislature. Frank rarely abandoned his signature outfit: brown leather vest, khaki pants, and blue button-down shirt. He maintained a lifelong commitment to the legal community. He loved his family deeply and recounted his best memory as, “probably the children.”

Frank is survived by his wife of over sixty-one (61) years, Lena, and daughters, Kathryn Buck Pursell (Brice) of Dowelltown; Melinda Buck Brown (Chase) of Oak Ridge; Sara Buck Doude (John) of Milledgeville, Georgia; and Jennifer Buck of Dowelltown; six grandchildren, Frank Forrest Pursell (Taylor) of Crossville; Ann Pursell Williams (Timothy) of Liberty; William Pursell of Liberty; Emeline Brown Hébert (Luke) of Nashville; Ellie Brown of Nashville; and Lilah Brown of Oak Ridge; and two great grandchildren, Lena Pursell of Liberty and Caroline Pursell of Crossville.

Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, January 27, 2024 from 3:00 to 7:00 pm and Sunday, January 28, 2024 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Celebration of Life is scheduled for Sunday, January 28, 2024 at 2:00 pm. Burial will follow in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. All services and visitation are scheduled at Love Cantrell Funeral Home, 100 East Church Street, Smithville, Tennessee 37166.

MEDIA PARTNER: WJLE AM/FM

Cannon County Schools will return to a regular schedule on Thursday, January 25th.

The basketball teams at the high school have make up games scheduled for Thursday night with Forrest.

In a rescheduled game on Wednesday night, the Lionettes defeated Cascade 57-21. The Lions defeated Cascade 62-47.

U.S. Representative John Rose joined Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and 161 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives in introducing the Death Tax Repeal Act. This legislation would permanently repeal the death tax, which imposes an unfair and costly tax on the transfer of property, land, and other assets from a deceased family member to heirs of family farms and small businesses.

Rep. Rose was a member of the Tennesseans Against the Death Tax group that spearheaded the successful effort to vanquish the inheritance tax in Tennessee in 2015. Now, he’s looking to take Tennessee values to Washington by ending the Death Tax nationally.

Over 99% of our country’s two million farms and ranches and over 95% of our nation’s small businesses are owned and operated by individuals and families, and this legislation would enable these multigenerational businesses to continue to support their families without having to pay a devastating tax upon the death of a family member. The Death Tax Repeal Act enjoys support from 194 organizations.

Rep. Rose released the following statement:

“Tennessee can always teach Washington a thing or two, and this is a prime example,” said Rep. Rose. “Farm families should be able to pass their family farms to the next generation without the heavy burden of the Death Tax. We repealed it in Tennessee, and it’s time we repeal it nationally. That’s why I am proud to support this legislation to axe the Death Tax once and for all.”

Tennessee gas prices held steady over last week and only moved a penny lower, on average. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $2.71 which is 11 cents less expensive than one month ago and 43 cents less than one year ago.  

“Despite the many changes in weather conditions across the state last week, gas prices saw very little movement in Tennessee,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “This week is likely to bring lower demand since a large portion of the country is still dealing with cold weather and snow on the ground. If upward pressure continues on oil prices we may see our pump prices fluctuate throughout the week, however, it’s likely that lower fuel demand and excess fuel supplies will continue to keep prices low this week.” 

Quick Facts

• 67% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $2.75
• The lowest 10% of pump prices are $2.46 for regular unleaded 
• The highest 10% of pump prices are $3.06 for regular unleaded

Tennessee fell to the 11th least expensive market in the nation

Cannon County Schools will be CLOSED on Tuesday, January 23 rd , 2024, due to hazardous driving conditions.
Director of Cannon County Schools, Ms. Bonnie Patterson, stated, “Cannon County Schools will be CLOSED on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, due to hazardous driving conditions. This will be our 7th Inclement Weather Day utilized in the 2023-2024 School Year.”

Due to hazardous driving conditions, Cannon County Schools are closed on Monday, January 22^nd.

According to Director of Schools, Bonnie Patterson, “Due to continuing hazardous driving conditions on most side streets and backroads, Cannon County Schools will be closed on Monday, January 22^nd, 2024. Warmer weather is forecast for this week, which will help to melt the snow and ice on our roadways. We miss our students, but the safety of our students and personnel is always our utmost priority.”

This will be the 6^th Inclement Weather Day utilized in the 2023-2024 School Year.”

The Cannon County Board of Education budget workshop scheduled for Monday, January 22, 2024, at 6 pm has been canceled due to hazardous road conditions. The budget workshop will be rescheduled, and the date will be available to the public.

Do you have cattle, sheep, goats, or equine animals?  If so, you could be eligible to receive payment from the Cannon/DeKalb County Farm Service Agency. According to Donny Green, County Executive Director, signup for the Livestock Forage Program will end January 30, 2024.   

The Livestock Forage Assistance Program (LFP) has been approved for Cannon and DeKalb countiesdue to recent and extreme drought conditions that have affected livestock grazing during the 2023 normal grazing period.  LFP provides compensation to eligible livestock producers that have suffered grazing losses for covered livestock on land with permanent vegetative cover or planted specifically for grazing. 

Since the program signup began in early November, nearly 400 livestock producers in Cannon and DeKalb counties have been approved and received over $1.5 million.

If you are a livestock producer and have not filed your LFP application since the signup period began in early November, please visit the FSA office in Smithville to file your application before the January 30, 2024 deadline. There are no approval provisions for late filed LFP applications.

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT TILL 9 AM SUNDAY

Wind chills as low as 10 below zero for all of Middle Tennessee.

The cold wind chills could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken. Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing including a hat and gloves.

Woodbury Church of Christ will hold only one service Sunday.  The service will be at 2pm.

First Baptist Church of Woodbury will conduct a joint class for Sunday School at 9:30, Sunday morning worship service will be at 10:30, no Sunday night service or other activities.

Leoni Church of Christ will have services at 9:00 and 9:45.

Plainview Baptist Church has canceled Sunday morning and evening services.

Sunny Slope Baptist Church has canceled services for Sunday.

Center Hill Baptist Church will not have services.

The Town of Woodbury will return to normal days and routes next Tuesday, January 23^rd for trash pickup.

The Chamber of Commerce has changed the date of the Banquet to Monday January 22^nd  due to the weather conditions.

Cannon County Middle School Football program has changed the date of their banquet to Sunday January 28th.

Some businesses are either closed or operating on a reduced schedule.  You should call the business before making a trip.

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

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT TILL 9 AM SUNDAY

Wind chills as low as 10 below zero for all of Middle Tennessee.

The cold wind chills could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken. Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing including a hat and gloves.

The courthouse and convenience center will be open till noon Saturday.

The Town of Woodbury will return to normal days and routes next Tuesday, January 23^rd for trash pickup.

The Chamber of Commerce has changed the date of the Banquet to Monday January 22^nd  due to the weather conditions.

Cannon County Middle School Football program has changed the date of their banquet to Sunday January 28th.

Some businesses are either closed or operating on a reduced schedule.  You should call the business before making a trip.

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