News

The new assistant principal positions to serve three of Cannon County elementary schools have been announced. 
Emily Hancock has been named as the Assistant Principal of Woodbury Grammar School.  
 
Rick Meacham, Principal of Woodbury Grammar School stated, “It is my pleasure to announce that Emily Hancock has been selected for the new position of Assistant Principal at WGS.  Thanks to everyone who supported this effort with the District School Board, County Commission meetings and budget process.
 
Emily Hancock is a twelve year veteran teacher, she began her teaching career in Cannon County Schools at Woodbury Grammar in 2006. 
 
 
Jennifer Nicole “Niki” Tuten has been named as the Assistant Principal for Woodland School in Bradyville and West Side School in Readyville.  
 
Woodland School Principal Angela Cossey and West Side School Principal Karen King interviewed several very qualified individuals for the Assistant Principal position.  The Principals stated, “We have done extensive research into Tuten’s background, and she seems to bring experience in several areas that will serve our schools well, support teachers, and further student achievement.”
 
Tuten has six years of teaching experience, 2 years in Marshall County and four years in Warren County. 
 
The position was funded by the Cannon County Board of Education in the ensuing budget process this past Summer.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

It’s time to make online reservations now for the 13th Annual History Hayride at Edgar Evins State Park on Sat., Oct. 13th at scheduled times throughout the afternoon and evening. The cost is still $15 per person. It offers history, mystery and theater. This is not a Halloween themed event and is not for young children or others who have trouble sitting quietly for about 2 ½ hours. 
The easiest access to the link for making reservations is on the Friends of Edgar Evins State Park website at: www.foeesp.com/history-hayride
 
If you need help making on-line reservations you may call the park office for contact information for Fount Bertram, President of Friends of Edgar Evins State Park for assistance. The park office phone numbers are: (931) 858-2114 or toll free at 1-800-250-8619.
 
Ten wagons will leave at approximately 30-minute intervals from the park office and return approximately 2 1/2 hours later. Each wagon will make about 9 stops where costumed characters will portray historic characters and tell about long ago events in and around the park.    The audience will remain on the wagons during the entire circuit. A tour guide will add narration between stops during the ride. Reservations will be for specific report times from 1:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
 
Friends of Edgar Evins State Park is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization with the purpose of helping the park. The History Hayride is a fundraiser by the Friends in cooperation with park staff. More information about the group and how to join may be found on the website at www.foeesp.com or the Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/friendsofeesp
 

Seven linemen and a mobile mechanic from Middle Tennessee Electric are on their way to Georgia to join efforts to restore power in the wake of Hurricane Michael. 
The eight employee-volunteers and five trucks will depart from the electric cooperative’s Murfreesboro office at 8 a.m. Wednesday; their destination is Statesboro, Ga. to assist Excelsior Electric Membership Corporation in restoration efforts.
 
“We got the call Tuesday asking if we could send crews to assist as Hurricane Michael headed toward the Gulf shore,” said Chris Jones, MTEMC president and CEO. “MTEMC and a number of other electric cooperatives in Tennessee are responding to that call.”
 
Jones said MTEMC’s line crews are often eager to help when situations are at their worst.
 
“It is amazing to watch these guys when they know people are in need,” he said. “That’s when they’re at their best. We’re very proud of them.”
 
Middle Tennessee Electric volunteers will be joined by volunteers from electric cooperatives across the state.
 
“As cooperatives,” Jones said, “one of our core values is assisting other cooperatives in need. If we had a bad ice storm, you can bet these cooperatives would be there to help us if we needed them.”
 
MTEMC has assisted in the wake of several hurricanes in recent years.
 
Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation is a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative providing electricity to more than 225,000 residential and business accounts in Williamson, Wilson, Rutherford, Cannon and surrounding counties.
 
 

While technological advances have made everyday tasks easier, they’ve also increased the vulnerability of consumers’ most sensitive personal data. Electronic financial accounts, healthcare information, and social media profiles can be exposed in just a few clicks by enterprising scammers. In recognition of October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (TDCI) Consumer Affairs and Securities divisions are providing tips to help keep your information safe online. 
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), cybercrimes are becoming increasingly prevalent, more dangerous, and more sophisticated. Complaints about Identity theft, which is one of the most common forms of cybercrime, have doubled between 2010 and 2015, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
 
“Cybercrime is serious and, unfortunately, becoming more commonplace as unscrupulous individuals can swiftly take advantage of unsuspecting consumers,” said TDCI Commissioner and President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Julie Mix McPeak. “We’re advising Tennesseans to go above and beyond during National Cyber Security Awareness Month and take precautions against cybercriminals. If you suspect you have become the victim of a cybercrime, we urge you to report it to the appropriate authorities.”
 
TDCI share the following tips to help keep your information safe online:
 
SECURITY STARTS AT HOME
·        Your Internet router can be your first line of defense for your home’s Wi-Fi network. Ensure no one is accessing your network and occasionally change the login and password. For enhanced protection, enable encryption, change the router’s default password, and provide guests with guest network access.
·        Invest in antivirus and anti-malware software to protect your accounts from the threat of viruses and malware.
·        Never send personal information, like a Social Security Number, over email or other electronic communication platforms without encryption. 
 
STAY AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS
·        Whether you are commuting or sitting in a coffee shop, be aware of who can see the screen on your smartphone or other device or overhear your conversations.
·        Never discuss bank account or credit card numbers in a public setting.
·        Be wary of credit card skimmers on gas pumps and ATMs. These devices are used by scammers and give them the ability to access your financial account information.
 
PASSWORD PROTECTION
·        Memorize your most important passwords and write the others down. Keep this list in a secure, private place.
·        If you choose to store this information electronically, make sure to not label the folder or file “passwords.”
·        Make passwords strong by using a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Consider using multi-word phrases to enhance security.
·        If available, use two-factor authentication. This gives an added layer of protection by requiring a second form of verification before allowing access to the account. Common forms of two-factor authentication are physical tokens, fingerprint authentication, or facial recognition.
 
THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK
·        Never click on attachments or links (even those labeled as “unsubscribe”) in an email from an unknown address. It only takes one click to infect your computer and compromise your data.
·        Hackers can use URLs that look legitimate, but contain system-infiltrating software. Look for spelling and grammatical errors in domain names and email addresses to avoid falling victim to this scheme.
 
SECURE YOUR SECURITIES
·        Protect your digital wallet like you would physical wallet. Check the account frequently to ensure there are no surprise charges.
·        Be wary when investing in digital currency (often referred to as “Crypto-Currency”). Be especially concerned if the investments you are looking at offer guaranteed high-investment returns or if they pressure you to buy immediately.
 
SHARE WITH CARE
·        Think before posting about yourself and others online. Consider what a post reveals, who might see it, and how it might affect others.
 
MONITOR YOUR ACCOUNTS
·        If you’ve been compromised, implement a fraud alert or credit freeze with one of the three credit bureaus. This service is free and may be included if credit monitoring is provided post-breach. 
 
For more tips on being a savvy consumer, visit tn.gov/consumer. Investors can get more information about wise cyber-transactions by visiting tn.gov/securities.
 
 

The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is raising awareness of key fire safety messages for National Fire Prevention Week (October 7-13). This year’s theme is “Look. Listen. Learn. Fire can happen anywhere.” This theme, which is created by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), aims to educate consumers on three basic but imperative steps needed to reduce the likelihood of fire—and teach consumers what to do if a fire should occur. 
Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire. This horrific fire, which occurred in 1871, killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed over 17,000 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.
 
To officially launch Fire Prevention Week in Tennessee, the SFMO partnered with several Tennessee fire departments, the Nashville Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Tennessee Division of Forestry, and the Tennessee Fire Service & Codes Enforcement Academy (TFACA) to host a Fire Prevention Week Kickoff event recently in Nashville.
 
“Fire Prevention Week is a long-standing tradition that prioritizes fire safety education,” said Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Julie Mix McPeak. “This year’s theme is a great reminder that no one is immune to home fires, but there are precautions you can take to lessen your chances and ensure your family is safe should disaster strike.”
 
The SFMO and NFPA share the following tips to help you and your family stay fire safe:
 
LOOK
Fire can happen anywhere. Look around your home for places fire can happen.

In the kitchen, ensure items are kept away from the stovetop. Any food being cooked should be watched closely. Never leave food unattended on the stovetop.

When using heaters, keep them at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn. Always turn heaters off when going to bed or leaving the room.

Ensure all electrical work is done by a qualified electrician. Don’t use extension cords as a permanent solution and never run them under rugs or carpets.

  
LISTEN
Know the sound your smoke alarms make.

Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm and understands what to do if it sounds.

When a smoke alarm sounds, get out and stay out. Go to your designated meeting place and call 9-1-1.

Test all smoke alarms monthly and replace them if they are 10 years old or older.

LEARN
Learn two ways out of every room.

Create an escape plan with all members of the household. Draw a map of each level of the home and make sure you know two ways out of every room. The SFMO has a free fire escape plan grid with instructions and handy tips on keeping your family safe.

Practice day and nighttime home fire drills.

If you live in a high-rise or condo, ensure you know the evacuation procedures.

NFPA has sponsored Fire Prevention Week since 1922. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in the United States. For more information on Fire Prevention Week, visit nfpa.org/fpw.
 
Additional tips for keeping your family safe from the dangers of fire can be found at tn.gov/fire.
 

Not all topics on the agenda of the County Commission meeting Saturday were reviewed.  For the second time in the last two months the meeting was recessed.Woodbury Mayor Andy Duggin addressed the commissioners to reconsider their decision to not to pay the tipping fees for household trash collected from the county’s fifth district.  As Duggin reviewed the plan he was meet with hostility from some commissioners. The current decision from the county places them in violation of state statues.   After some discussion the commissioners voted to move the request to the county’s solid waste committee by a vote of 7-2.  However, at that point in the meeting no solid waste committee had been approved.
Fred Howell of the Industrial Development Board informed the commissioners the IDB will be needing office space in a few months. The commissioners moved review of that request to committee.  The Commissions did approve use of County Courthouse for meetings of the Industrial Development Board.
Ralph Harvey addressed the commissioners to request reconsideration of the distance ordinance on businesses selling beer.  After much discussion, commissioners voted to keep the current distance in place.
Many of the department head reports were not heard due to the recess of the meeting and many in attendance had a conflict with the re-scheduling of the end of the meeting.
 

 The new Tennessee State Museum at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park opened its doors to the public today with a ribbon cutting ceremony, comments by dignitaries and Museum officials, performances by area musicians and the participation of local schoolchildren. 
“A lot of work has gone into this project, and I’m pleased to say that it is on time and under budget,” Gov. Bill Haslam said. “Our goal was to build a museum that would 100 years from now reflect something that Tennesseans will be proud of and still be a vital part of Bicentennial Mall. I believe we’ve exceeded that goal with a space to showcase the rich history of our state and provide a memorable experience to visitors of all ages. This is an exciting day for Tennessee.”
 
The governor was joined by Tom Smith, chairman of the Douglas Henry State Museum Commission; Ashley Howell, executive director of the Tennessee State Museum; Drew Holcomb, singer-songwriter; students from the John Early Museum Magnet Middle School; the Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands; and U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, who delivered the keynote address.
 
The senator was governor when the Museum opened in the James K. Polk building in 1981.
 
“Forty years ago, I walked across Tennessee in my campaign for governor, 1022 miles from Maryville to Mountain City to Memphis. My walk took six months,” Alexander said. “Today, in this magnificent new Tennessee State Museum you can walk across the state in 30 minutes and get to know the state pretty well. Even a short walk in the Children’s Gallery will give you a taste of the treasures assembled in this Museum or take a different kind of walk through the Tennessee Time Tunnel from prehistoric days until today.
 
“Our children need to learn American history and Tennessee history, so they can grow up knowing what it means to be an American and a Tennessean. Learning history helps to understand what is happening today and helps to navigate tomorrow.”
The Museum is comprised of six permanent exhibitions ranging from First Peoples beginning in 13,000 BCE to Present Day, six temporary galleries highlighting the work of Red Grooms, Tennessee’s Musical Heritage and WWI, among others, a Children’s Gallery, a Digital Learning Center, and more. It is free to the public and open until 8:00 p.m. on its opening day. Hours for the rest of opening weekend are Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CDT; Sunday, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. CDT; and Monday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CDT.
 
“Today, we open our doors, and we open our minds.” said Howell. “We open our minds to learn more about those who lived, and served and died; to learn more about creativity, ingenuity, and perseverance that shapes our history, art and culture. To the people of Tennessee, this is your Museum and these are your stories, and we can’t wait to welcome you all today and for the many years to come.
About the Tennessee State Museum:
For over 35 years, the Tennessee State Museum, one of the oldest and largest state museums in the nation, has been confined to the lower levels of the James K. Polk State Office Building.
In 2015, Gov. Bill Haslam proposed and the Tennessee General Assembly appropriated $120 million to build a new home for the museum with the additional funding to complete the project to be raised in private contributions.  To date, more than $30 million in private donations have been raised, and the construction of the new museum is running on time and on budget. 
 
The former Tennessee State Museum hosted approximately 115,000 visitors each year.  The new museum, which is located on the northwest corner of the Bicentennial Mall in Nashville, is expected to host more than 220,000 visitors annually, adding to the growing menu of memorable and educational opportunities Tennessee has to offer.
 
For more information about the new Tennessee State Museum, visit tnmuseum.org.
 

With campaign signs dotting the landscape across the state, it’s no secret that the midterms are around the corner. But a new poll from AARP indicates there’s something missing in the campaign rhetoric.The survey found 91 percent of Tennessee voters age 50 and older think Medicare is very important for people’s health in retirement, and almost as many prioritize Social Security benefits. While most people have a clear position on these programs, Rebecca Kelly, director of AARP Tennessee, said the state’s candidates for governor and U.S. Senate haven’t made their plans known for either program.
“None of the candidates right now for U.S. Senate or gubernatorial race are talking about the issues that people over 50 care most about,” she said, “and that is lowering health-care costs and strengthening and reforming Social Security.”
Phil Bredesen, the Democratic candidate for the open U.S. Senate seat, said he believes cost savings can be found in Medicare and Medicaid if the programs were made more efficient. Republican candidate Marsha Blackburn has said she’ll support President Donald Trump’s agenda, which in the past has proposed cutting the Medicare budget. The positions of the state’s candidates for governor are unclear.
Other priorities identified in the poll include continued protections for people with pre-existing health conditions, protecting older Americans from paying much higher prices for health coverage, and supporting an income-tax credit for family caregivers. Kelly noted that many of the issues raised in the poll affect people of all ages.
“These issues are not only important to people over 50, but multi-generations,” she said, “because many of us are caring for people older and younger than us, and health care is across the board. Prescription drug issues are across the board.”
On Oct. 15, Gubernatorial candidate Karl Dean and a representative from Bill Lee’s campaign will discuss aging issues with FiftyForward and the Nashville Council on Aging at the Patricia Hart Building in Nashville.
The AARP state report is online at aarp.org.
 
 

Congratulations to the Cannon County 4-H Poultry Judging teams! At the Central Region 4-H Poultry Judging Contest held in Lebanon the junior high team placed 3rd and the senior high team placed 1st. The senior high team will advance to the state judging contest held in Knoxville. Congratulations to the Cannon County 4-H Senior High Poultry Judging Team for winning 1st at the Central Region 4-H Poultry Judging Contest! Congratulations to William Davis for placing 7th high individual out of 77 junior high participants. Congratulations to my senior high team members:  Abbye Moore for placing 3rd high individual, Austin Grant for placing 5th high individual, and Will Byford for placing 7th high individual.  All nine 4-H members spent many hours practicing and it paid off. 
To learn more about the Cannon County 4-H, we invite you to tune in to  After 8 on WBRY, Tuesday mornings when the focus is on the work of the UT Extension Service.
 

The Mayor and Board of Alderman are crafting a way to address the solid waste needs of the town of Woodbury without the county’s transfer station.   In their meeting Tuesday night, Public Works Director Shane Gannon reviewed several options. Some of the items presented included: 
The continuation or end of providing commercial trash pickup for the town’s 23 dumpsters.
The possibility of changing residental pickup from two days weekly to three days weekly.
The change of route days could result in more labor for things like cleaning or patching streets, work in parks and other duties.
A possible change of moving the dumping from Rutherford County to Warren County.
 
Alderman will address of the suggestions and numbers that accompany them.  Decisions could come as early as the next meeting on November 6th.