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The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office is using the state’s annual Carbon Monoxide Awareness Day (September 18) to remind Tennesseans of the dangers associated with carbon monoxide, often called the “silent killer.” 
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (like gasoline, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, methane or wood) burn incompletely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel, such as barbecue grills, fireplaces, and fuel-powered heaters are potential sources of carbon monoxide. Dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can also be produced by portable generators and vehicles.
 
“Carbon monoxide is especially worrisome since it is colorless and odorless,” said Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Julie Mix McPeak. “We encourage every Tennessean to be aware of the dangers carbon monoxide presents. Installing and maintaining a working carbon monoxide alarm could prevent tragedy from striking.”
 
In 2015, legislation was signed by Governor Bill Haslam declaring September 18 of each calendar year as Carbon Monoxide Awareness Day in Tennessee. The legislation was sponsored in the House by Tennessee State Representative Joe Pitts (D-Clarksville) and in the Senate by Senator Mark Green (R-Clarksville).
 
The designation was made in honor of five friends killed as a result of CO poisoning on September 18, 2011, in Clarksville, Tennessee.  Jon and Kathryn Watson Over, Jim Wall, Tim Stone and Allison Bagwell-Wyatt lost their lives at a children’s charity fundraiser when carbon monoxide fumes from a generator seeped into their rented RV. The RV’s carbon monoxide detector, which could have prevented the deaths, was later discovered to have no batteries.
 
Christine Watson, who lost her daughter and son-in-law to the tragedy on September 18, 2011, has a powerful testimonial warning others to the dangers of carbon monoxide.
 
Since the 2011 tragedy, progress has been made to protect consumers and raise awareness of CO poisoning. Tennessee law now requires that rented RVs must have functioning carbon monoxide detectors before being leased for use. The law also holds RV rental companies responsible if they fail to document and test the CO detectors in their leased vehicles.
 
The SFMO offers the following tips to help Tennesseans reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning:
 
·        Never use a gas generator inside your home, garage, carport basement, crawlspace or outside near a window, door or vent. A generator should only be used outdoors at least 15 feet away from buildings. It is dangerous to use a gas or kerosene heater inside a home or other building.
·        Never use a gas range or gas oven to heat your home. Do not use a gas or charcoal grill indoors, and do not burn charcoal in your fireplace.
·        Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open.
·        Do not use fuel-powered equipment in the garage.
·        Have fuel-burning heating equipment and chimneys inspected by a professional every year before cold weather sets in.
·        When using a fireplace, ensure the flue is open for adequate ventilation.
·        Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath and confusion. Many of these symptoms are similar to common colds or seasonal flu. Breathing high levels of carbon monoxide can cause loss of consciousness or even death.
·        If carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, turn off possible sources of the gas.
·        Carbon monoxide detectors are important in protecting against CO poisoning, and are widely available at home and hardware stores. Carbon monoxide detectors can provide an early warning before the gas reaches a dangerous level.
·        CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home or RV. For the best protection, interconnect all CO alarms so that when one sounds, they all sound. Choose an alarm that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory and always following the manufacturer’s instructions for installation.
·        If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the structure is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel arrive.
 
For more information and to download a free high-resolution calendar, visit tn.gov/fire.
 

As children race through the corn maze or rush to find the perfect pumpkin, more of Tennessee’s agritourism farms are now also featuring fall fun that’s just for grownups. Many farms offer elegant farm to table dinners that may include fresh and local foods, star chefs, live music, and even tastings of local wines, whiskeys, or beers. These events can provide a unique experience right in the field or in a beautiful barn with personal attention from the farmers, chefs, and artisans. Some farms host folk and square dancing with traditional live bands and callers. 
On-farm “glamping” in themed campers is also mostly focused on adults. Geared for girls weekends and other groups who want to get away together, some farms offer activities as diverse as fishing and canoeing to classes in traditional farm arts like yarn spinning, textile dyeing, and cheese making. 
Tennessee’s grape harvest is underway through mid-October, so autumn visitors get the most out of educational winery tours. In fall, visitors are likely to see farm-to-bottle activities including grape harvest, delivery, and crush. Participating in a tasting after touring allows for a better understanding of varietal flavors. Wineries host special events throughout the fall, ranging from live music and themed dinners to walks and races benefiting local organizations. 
As people think fall they will find items in Cannon County like; corn stalks, gourds, pumpkins and wreaths, at pleces like Humble Heritage Farms, Wild Christmas Tree Farms, 6R Farns and Flying S Farms and Bakery.
Find nearby agritourism farms, wineries, and all kinds of fall events here and with the Pick TN mobile app. Pick Tennessee is the service of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to connect customers to local farm products. Follow Pick Tennessee on social media for seasonal updates and information about Tennessee foods, artisan farm products, and fun.
As people think fall they will find items in Cannon County like; corn stalks, gourds, pumpkins and wreaths, at pleces like Humble Heritage Farms, Wild Christmas Tree Farms, 6R Farns and Flying S Farms and Bakery.
 

A 33 year old Woodbury man is charged with burglary and theft at DeKalb West School last week and taking items worth $16.50. 
Robert Anthony Taylor is under a $6,500 bond and his court date is September 27.
 
According to the warrant, Taylor admitted to entering the school on Monday, September 10 and taking a bag of chips, sport drink, T-shirt, and $5.00. The total value of the items taken came to $16.50.
Source: WJLE
 

Over the weekend, members of the Cannon County Sheriff’s department was looking for Donald Ray Stacey, Stacey had threatened to shoot up the Police Dept , Sheriff’s Dept and Kingdom Hall on McMinnville Hwy. Warrants for his arrest for harassment and filing a false report and additional warrants were. Sheriff Darryl Young said Stacey made threats to shoot officers and was considered to be armed and dangerous towards law enforcement. He said he has a 22, a rifle and a shotgun with him and last seen to be traveling in a black Ford Explorer with a temp tag. 
Young has reported that Stacey was picked up by Van Buren Co. Officers and is in process of being brought back to Cannon County. According to reports a trooper in Van Buren County saw and spoke with Stacey earlier in the day who had asked him about camping at Fall Creek Falls State Park.  With his help and other officers there, they were able to take him into custody without incident.
 

Education Commissioner Candice McQueen has announced that 52 principals  will serve in the inaugural class of the Tennessee Rural Principals Network, one part of Gov. Bill Haslam’s Transforming School Leadership Initiative, which is a comprehensive approach to improve the preparation, retention, and development of Tennessee’s principals. The department is also providing funding for scholarships to support professional development for up to 200 additional rural principals. 
Cannon County’s Angela Cossey principal of Woodland School has been selected to serve as well as Warren County’s Michelle Lewis, Mike Mansfield and Carol Prater.
 
Principals in rural schools are often unable to take advantage of leadership development due to the cost of registration and travel and have few networking opportunities to learn from other school leaders. To address this need, the department is implementing a two-prong approach by creating a professional network for 52 rural principals, who will also receive funding to attend state-led conferences and training opportunities, and by providing scholarships for up to 200 additional rural principals to attend state-provided training opportunities.
 
“We must ensure that every school, no matter where it is located in Tennessee, is led by a principal who is supported and developed to his or her fullest potential and able to guide our teachers and students to success,” said Commissioner McQueen. “The Tennessee Rural Principals Network is an innovative approach to meet the unique needs of school leaders in our rural communities and allow them to grow professionally and learn from one another to ultimately benefit our students.”
 
The department and school districts have supported school leaders in part by implementing an effective evaluation system and offering robust professional learning; however, opportunities for school leaders in rural communities are still limited. Addressing Tennessee’s broader leadership challenges involves making sure that the state is also targeting rural school leaders with access to high-quality professional learning.
 
The participants selected for the Tennessee Rural Principals Network will receive funding to support their attendance and learning at five events during the 2018-19 school year designed to provide them with professional learning aligned to help address those challenges that are unique to rural leadership.
 
The Tennessee Rural Principals Network recognizes the importance of providing a sustained opportunity for rural principals by providing them the ability to participate in:
·        Ongoing professional learning from state and national experts on evidence-based strategies that improve educator effectiveness and student outcomes in a rural setting
·        Opportunities to exchange ideas, strategies, resources, and common challenges with peers in a safe and supportive setting
·        Opportunities to work with a smaller group of peers in a community of practice focused on a common challenge to identify best practices currently in use and to reduce isolation
 
The Transforming School Leadership Initiative was announced by Gov. Bill Haslam in March 2018 and leverages both state and private dollars to improve leader pipeline programs, reward and retain individuals effectively leading our state’s lowest performing schools, and provide networking opportunities and support for principals in our rural communities. Gov. Haslam has dedicated more than $3.5 million in this year’s budget to advance this work, and additionally, the Ayers Foundation, Scarlett Family Foundation, and the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) have invested a combined $600,000 to the efforts.
 

Classmates from the Cannon County High School class of 1988 are having trouble finding some of their graduates. 
If you have not received information about the upcoming reunion, please call Karen King at 615-563-4966 and leave a message.
 

The Upper Cumberland Area Agency on Aging and Disability invites caregivers to the Upper Cumberland Senior and Caregiver Expo and caregiver training on Tuesday, October 16, 2018. 
 
The expo and training will be held at Life Church at 2223 N. Washington Ave. in Cookeville. From 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., attendees will have the opportunity to connect with businesses and service providers who cater to caregivers and those seeking care and services at the Senior and Caregiver Expo. Information will be available for all ages, from birth to older adults. Admission to the expo is free.
 
 
The caregiver training will be held from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Training topics covered will include information on safe patient handling for home caregivers, how to prevent falls and caring for individuals with arthritis. Training will include the use of lifts and assistive devices and will be divided into two sections.
 
 
Session one from 12:30 p.m. until 1:25 p.m. taught by Toni Roberts, DNP, RN, will be an informative session on safe patient handling designed for home caregivers and in-home workers. The use of lifts and assistive devices will be included.
 
 
In session two, Sony Briggs, PT, Movement Specialist (FMT, FMS, SFBA, CF-LI Trainer), will teach participants how to prevent falls and how to care for individuals with arthritis. The second session will be held from 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.
 
 
 
Individuals interested in the caregiver training should contact Clare Farless by phone (931) 432-4111 or email at cfarless@ucdd.org to register. The training is free, and a certificate of training will be provided for participants.
 
             
The Area Agency on Aging and Disability (AAAD), a division of the Upper Cumberland Development District, connects older adults and adults with disabilities in the 14-county Upper Cumberland region with services and resources to improve their quality of life. Find AAAD on the web at www.ucdd.org and at facebook.com/UCDDconnect.
 

The Cannon County High School Blood Drive, held earlier this month was a huge success.  The Health Occupations Students of America, who are future health professionals, sponsored the drive for the American Red Cross.The drive registered 42 donors and collected 39 pints of blood.  Out of these donors, eighteen were first time donors and seven donors were Power Red donors, which means they donated two units of blood.  This blood could save or change the lives of up to 117 people.
Cannon County High School is very proud of our HOSA students and of our blood donors!
 

A variety of topics faced members of the Cannon County Board of Education at Thursday’s meeting. 
 
With the start of a new term, election of chairman, vice-chairman and chairman pro-tem.  Nathan Sanders was elected chairman, incoming members,Travis Turney and Brian Elrod were elected vice-chairman and chairman pro-tem, respectfully.
 
 
Chris Blackburn made a request of the Board on using the Auburn School walking track area for a life flight landing zone for the Auburntown Volunteer Fire Dept. Upon review the board approved the request.
 
 
Principal Courtney Nichols requested a change to the calendar on moving the date for graduation from May 24 to May 17. Reason for the request was the improve the turnaround time on sending transcripts to colleges for seniors.  Nichols also advised the board he would like to change the graduation requires from 22 credits to 24 credits.  The change would only affect the current freshman and sophomore classes. Both actions were approved.
 
 
Director of Schools William F. Curtis suggested a joint meeting for the board of education and the county commission for the purpose of reviewing structure repairs on various schools.  A tour of facilities could occur in October.
 

Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation (MTEMC) has announced the results of its 82nd Annual Meeting. 
Members re-elected Ann Little of Williamson County (District 1B), David A. Lee of Rutherford County (District 2B), Roy Tom Purkey of Wilson County (District 4A) and James E. Mills of Wilson County (District 4C) for the 2018-2021 board.
 
The 2018 Nominating Committee elected W.J. “Joey” Davis, Donald Lampley and Juanita Patton from District 1 – Williamson County; Thomas “Teb” Batey II, Robert Mullins, and Jamey Faulkner from District 2 – Rutherford County; Jeanne Melton from District 3 – Cannon County; and Ken Howell, Zachary Butler and Quintin Smith from District 4 – Wilson County.
 
The board also re-elected Mike Woods of Rutherford County as chairman, Tom Purkey of Wilson County as vice chairman and Steve Seger of Williamson County as secretary-treasurer.
 
More than 1,900 people attended the Annual Meeting Expo and spoke with MTEMC staff at booths, tables and spaces designed to engage members in conversations about various topics across the cooperative. The expo also gave members the opportunity to participate in a health fair and win a variety of door prizes. Don Strang, an MTEMC member in Rutherford County, won the grand prize ­– a used 2011 Ford Ranger that had been retired from the MTEMC fleet.
 
“We are grateful to the hundreds of members who attended this year’s annual meeting,” said Chris Jones, MTEMC President and CEO. “The democratic process of members electing those that represent and serve them is an important piece of who we are as a not-for-profit, member-owned electric cooperative. This year’s setup also increased member engagement, which is a priority as we continuously seek to understand our members’ needs and deepen our community relationships.”