News

While Independence Day celebrations are traditionally known for outdoor events, fireworks and family get-togethers, the iconic U.S. holiday has become notorious for crashes and fatalities on the road.
In 2016, 188 people were killed in a crash involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher during the Independence Day holiday. This represents a 28 percent increase from the previous year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
“Celebrating our country’s independence is a wonderful tradition across our nation, but it’s important to remain responsible and safe throughout the holiday,” said Amy Stracke, managing director of traffic safety advocacy for AAA – The Auto Club Group and executive director of the Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation. “Everyone deserves to get home safely.”
To encourage those celebrating the holiday from getting behind the wheel impaired, AAA, its Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation and Budweiser are offering their free Tow to Go program. AAA predicts a record-breaking 46.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from home this Independence Day, the highest number since AAA started its tracking 18 years ago.
“We encourage everyone who’s celebrating to plan ahead, make arrangements for safe transportation and avoid driving impaired at all costs,” said Megan Cooper, Tennessee Public Affairs Specialist, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “A good way to keep the Tow to Go number handy is to program it into your phone in advance so you don’t have to search for it later.”

For anyone who needs a safe ride home, Tow to Go is available from Tuesday, July 3, until 6 a.m. on Thursday, July 5. Tow to Go is available by calling (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246

Property along Main Street was on the agenda again this month before the Woodbury Municipal Planning Commission.

During the May meeting a final plat request was presented.  The area along West Main Street and the East Fork of the Stones River is listed as West Gate Shopping Center, Section 2.  The plat involves three tracts, including the location of the Verizon store. The board accepted the request.

During last night’s meeting a rezoning was requested to amend the property from C-3 (Highway Commercial District) to C-2 (Central Commercial District). Commission member Harold Patrick motioned and seconded by Mayor Andy Duggin to recommend to the Board of Alderman to change section 1 and 2 of the property from C-3 to C-2.  The tracts are boarded by West Main Street to Stones River.

The rezoning discussion was the only item on the commission’s agenda for the meeting.

With elder abuse being an ever-increasing problem, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has proclaimed June 15, 2018 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Tennessee. In honor of this day, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (TDCI) Securities and Consumer Affairs divisions offer tips to help seniors avoid falling victim to identity theft and financial abuse.World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was created by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization of the United Nations in 2006 to bring awareness to the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of seniors. TDCI advocates for consumer protection such as the passage in 2017 of SBO511/HB1050 which revises the Anti-Phishing Act of 2006 by making it a Class A misdemeanor to send inaccurate or misleading caller ID information with the intent to defraud, harm or steal. Under the legislation, the Attorney General may seek a court order and recover a penalty of up to $10,000 per violation.
“Older adults are often victims of financial fraud and identity theft because they are vulnerable to scammers,” said TDCI Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “This vulnerability stems from the wealth they have accumulated over their careers, their tendency to be trusting, and their increasing isolation from family, friends, and caregivers. It is our responsibility as Tennesseans to keep a watchful eye out for signs of elder financial exploitation and promptly reporting any suspicions to the appropriate party.”
TDCI offers the following tips to help residents of the Volunteer State recognize and avoid financial exploitation and fraud:Senior Investor Tips

If a stranger asks for money, proceed with caution. Swindlers can take advantage of your good manners.

Make sure you invest with a licensed investment adviser. You can ensure a broker is licensed here.

Beware of salespeople who prey upon your fears. Fear can blind your good judgement. Only invest when you have all the facts and feel comfortable.

Don’t be embarrassed to report fraud or abuse. Every day you delay reporting fraud or abuse is another day the scammer is spending your money and finding new victims.
Identity Theft Prevention Tips

Never buy from a stranger who calls or visits unannounced.

Shred all paperwork containing any identifying information, healthcare information, banking information, or passwords.

Monitor bank and credit card statements.

Monitor your credit report.

Use direct deposit for benefit checks to prevent checks from being stolen.

Never give your credit card, banking, Social Security number, Medicare number, or other personal information over the phone, unless you initiated the call.
If you suspect that you might be a victim of securities or insurance fraud, or if you would like to file a complaint or speak with an investigator, please contact the Tennessee Securities Division – Financial Services Investigations Unit at (615) 741-5900 or visit ther website. Other types of elder abuse involving abuse, neglect or exploitation should be reported to the Tennessee Department of Human Services, Adult Protective Services Unit by phone at (888) 277-8366 or by visiting https://reportadultabuse.dhs.tn.gov/.
For more consumer tips, including additional resources on identity theft and other scams, visit the TDCI Consumer Affairs Division at www.tn.gov/consumer.

“The Child Advocacy Center set an ambitious goal to train 5% of the adult population in Rutherford and Cannon Counties how to protect children from child sexual abuse utilizing the Darkness to Light Curriculum,” said Child Advocacy Center director Sharon De Boer. Darkness to Light is a program that Child Advocacy Centers in Rutherford County, Cannon County, and across the nation utilize with the mission to prevent sexual abuse.

“The evidence based Darkness to Light training centers on teaching adults how to prevent, recognize, and respond to child sexual abuse in a responsible and appropriate manner.  By learning the 5 Steps to Preventing Child Sexual Abuse, community members will be prepared if they encounter an at risk child in our community,” said Community Education Coordinator Zach Sanders.

These five new trainers join a group of 29 authorized facilitators in Rutherford and Cannon Counties certified to teach the Darkness to Light curriculum.  National statistics state that 1 in 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.  These 5 new trainers will work to educate the community to break this cycle of abuse, will you join them?
Dawana Guice:
Dawana Guice is a graduate of MTSU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.  She is a former employee of the Department of Children’s Services, and is currently employed as the Drug Endangered Children Coordinator for the Child Advocacy Center.
Venessa Hyer:
Venessa Hyer is a graduate of MTSU with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work.   As a Department of Children’s Services employee Hyer has spent five years working in Child Protective Services, and is a certified mentor with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation training.
Brandie Justice:
Brandie Justice is a 13 veteran of the Department of Children’s Services with a degree in Social Work that she earned at Austin Peay State University.  Working as one of the department’s Team Leads, Justice is very passionate about ensuring the safety of children she serves.
Samantha Keeling:
Samantha Keeling works at Department of Children’s Services and The Next Door, and will be an adjunct professor in the coming months.  She holds undergraduate degrees in Sociology and Anthropology from Fisk University, a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and two years of doctoral work at Trevecca Nazarene University.
Hope Phelps:
Hope Phelps is an employee at the Department of Children’s Services with experience working in sexual assault, counseling at-risk teens, foster care, and volunteer supervision working with those experiencing homelessness.

“The Child Advocacy Center has been on the front lines with the Child Protective Investigative Team responding to child abuse and child sexual abuse cases for the last 18 years.  Darkness to Light is our hope that we can prevent child sexual abuse from happening.  We are excited that the new authorized Darkness to Light facilitators are available to train community groups.  Each of them brings a wealth of experience working with child sexual abuse victims and their families,” concluded De Boer.

Please contact Zach Sanders at the Child Advocacy Center to bring the Darkness to Light child sexual abuse prevention training to your church, school, business, non-profit agency, sports league, civic group, or other organization.  Sanders may be contacted at the Child Advocacy Center at 615-867-9000 or zsanders@cacrutherford.org.

Education Commissioner Candice McQueen has announced that 88 school districts and one postsecondary institution in Tennessee have received a total of $2.2 million through the Perkins Reserve Consolidated Grant. This new grant application for the 2018-19 school year combines funding streams from the Perkins Reserve Grant, the department’s New Skills for Youth (NSFY) grant, and the Experienced Professionals in the Classroom (EPIC) project to support the implementation of high-quality career pathways for Tennessee students. For the first time, districts could complete one application to be considered for these multiple grant opportunities.Cannon County is included in the program for Industry Certifications.  Coffee, DeKalb, Rutherford and Warren Counties are also recipients.
The Perkins Reserve Grant had five focus areas that each receives funding, including one focus area only available to community colleges that are members of the Tennessee Board of Regents. Additional funds associated with this grant will continue to provide current industry equipment to support new CTE programs in advanced manufacturing, health science, and agriculture. Furthermore, nearly $900,000 will support students earning industry-recognized certifications. The remaining funds were awarded to districts across the focus areas of:
·        work-based learning,
·        equipment to support career and technical education programs of study,
·        instructor licensure or testing site accreditation to support student capstone industry certifications,
·        exam fee assistance for student capstone industry certifications, and
·        development of an associate degree occupational educator preparation program at a community college (through the department’s EPIC project).
An initiative of J.P. Morgan Chase, the NSFY grant focuses on increasing the number of students who are prepared for careers in high-demand, high-wage jobs in their communities and across the state. The department awarded NSFY grants to districts to create or expand structural alignment between school districts, postsecondary partners, and employers that reduces the barriers for students earning a credential and preparing for careers. The NSFY grants focused on the following three priorities and awarded nearly half a million dollars across six districts:
·        college and career advisement for all students,
·        early college and career preparation opportunities for all students, and
·        postsecondary and industry partnerships with K-12.
Through the EPIC project, the department will assist Motlow State Community College in the development of a degree-granting occupational educator preparation program. This program will create new, reduced cost options for individuals interested in becoming Career and Technical Education (CTE) educators. Additionally, because the program would be degree-granting, this opportunity will allow prospective CTE educators without an associate or bachelor’s degree to apply for a Tennessee Reconnect grant to receive financial assistance and advising. Ultimately, with more high-quality CTE educators, more Tennessee students will be prepared for both college and career.
Complete information about all grant opportunities can be found in the Perkins Reserve Consolidated Grant announcement. A full list of award recipients can be found here. For more information about the Perkins Reserve Consolidated Grant, contact Bobby Sanborn, executive director of finance and reporting, at Bobby.Sanborn@tn.gov. For media inquiries, contact Sara Gast, director of communications, at (615) 532-6260 or Sara.Gast@tn.gov.

Cannon County Board of Education has announced the agenda for their next regular meeting this Thursday (June 14th).
New Head Football Coach will discuss the Touchdown Club and the need for a mower for the football field. The board will be asked to approve Josh Lance, and Jim Parker as non-faculty football coaches

Bonnie Patterson will address the Board concerning updated attendance policies and procedures to meet new state guidelines that become effective on July 1st.

To meet Fire Marshal requirements, the board is expected to approve scope of work to add new door hardware for West Side, Woodbury Grammar and Eastside schools. The installation of a security fence for Eastside is up for consideration.

Approve bids will be presented for consideration including the mowing bid, bus bid subject to approval of a budget amendment by the county commission.

And the budget for the next fiscal year is still on the agenda.  The board is expected to set a special called Board meeting to approve budget amendments.

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening at 6:30pm in the cafeteria of Woodbury Grammar School.