News

The nomination period for the 2018 Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee Elections is underway. The nomination period continues through August 1, 2018 according to Donny Green DeKalb/Cannon Farm Service Agency County Executive DirectorAccording to Green, “I encourage all producers to participate in the county committee election process by nominating candidates by the August 1 deadline,”. We are counting on as much participation as possible, because county committees are an important link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We have seen a trend in recent years of increased nominations of minority, beginning farmers, and women producers and we hope that will continue.”
Committees apply their judgment and knowledge to make decisions on county commodity price-support loan eligibility, establishment of allotments and yields, conservation programs, disaster programs, employment and other farm program-related issues. Nationwide, there are more than 7,800 farmers and ranchers serving on FSA county committees. Committees consist of three to five members who are elected by eligible local producers.

To be eligible to serve on an FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area in which the person is a candidate.
Nominees must reside in Local Administrative Area (LAA) for which they are seeking to be elected. For the 2018 Election, the DeKalb/Cannon County FSA County Committee Election will conduct elections in LAA-1 (DeKalb County) and LAA-5 (Cannon County). Below is the description of the LAA’s that will be conducting elections this year: Local Administrative Area # 5, the portions of Cannon County described as following:That portion of Cannon County that lies west of Highway 53 (a state highway that runs south from the DeKalb County line and north from the Coffee County Line).
Individuals may nominate themselves, or others, as a candidate. In addition, eligible candidates can be nominated by community-based and other organizations in the county where the election is being held before the close of the nomination period, especially groups representing socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.  Nominations and elections are open to all eligible candidates and voters without regard to race, color, religion, nation origin, age, sex, marital status or disability.  The nomination form (FSA-669A) is available at USDA Service Centers and online at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections

Ballots will be mailed to all eligible voters in LAA’s # 1 and # 5 on November 5, 2018. Completed ballots must be returned, either in person or postmarked, no later December 3, 2018. For more information about FSA county committees, visit the DeKalb/Cannon County USDA Service Center or call 615-597-8225, extension 2.

Any joint venture between the Town of Woodbury and Cannon County on the issue of solid waste may have come to an abrupt end during the recent meeting of the Cannon County Commissioners.  After an update on the solid waste subcommittee comprised with members of the Mayor and Board of Alderman and the County Commission, commissioners voted to dissolve the subcommittee.The report from the subcommittee revealed that members decided they could not develop a plan until the County had taken action on the offered grants from the state.
The joint venture idea on dealing with the solid waste issue came from Judge Executive Mike Gannon and Mayor Andy Duggin.
 

In an effort to provide greater flexibility and clarity to Tennessee educators when planning for school safety emergencies, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) has announced new guidance for classroom safety in addition to the adoption of the National Fire Protection Association 2018 Life Safety Code rules for classroom safety measures.During annual inspections of classrooms, inspectors will no longer issue citations for barricade devices so long as the devices are not attached to a door nor deployed during an inspection. If a device is used for purposes other than security drills or lockdowns, this will be noted as a deficiency. Any alterations to classroom doors must comply with adopted codes.
“Tennessee school administrators and educators now have additional measures to help protect students in the event of an emergency,” said Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance Assistant Commissioner Gary Farley. “Classroom safety remains a priority of Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak and our team, and we encourage our partners to create comprehensive safety plans that fit the needs of individual schools.”
Fire safety measures have helped save lives in Tennessee schools. While Tennessee fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 51 fires in educational facilities from 2013-17, no fire fatalities have been reported at a Tennessee school. The last school fire fatality in the U.S. occurred in 1958.
The SFMO shares this additional school safety information to aid school officials in providing the highest level of safety to students, staff, and visitors.DOORS AND ESCAPE ROUTES
Keep exit path widths open at least 48 inches. Exit doors must be easily recognized and shouldn’t be hidden with paint or decorations. Fire-rated doors cannot be propped open, locked, or chained and must have latches. SFMO inspectors will enforce the provisions of the adopted codes based on their observations during an inspection. If a classroom door or means of egress is obstructed at the time of inspection, the inspector will require the obstruction to be removed immediately. Any alterations to classroom doors must comply with adopted codes. SOURCES OF ELECTRICITY
Extension cords should not be used as permanent wiring so schools should always consider available power sources when planning the classroom configuration. Be sure any power strip is UL-listed as an overload protector, and take care to always use appropriate wattage bulbs in any lamp.FIRE AND SAFETY DRILLS
Fire drills and safety drills are one of the most important safety measures a school can take and are also recommended for homes. Two fire drills are required within the first 30 full school days and at least one once every 30 school days. Practice makes perfect! This will reduce panic and injuries.FIRE ALARMS
Fire alarms are an indispensable tool of fire safety and provide early detection of potential fire and notification to evacuate. While a bad actor may use fire alarms to create confusion, disabling fire alarms, discontinuing fire drills or altering our response to fire alarms in buildings is not a safe solution. It’s important to note that the Code allows for the elimination of manual fire alarm boxes with certain provisions.EXIT SIGNS AND EMERGENCY LIGHTS
Exit and emergency lights must be in good working order at all times. You can assist your school in reporting any non-functioning exit signs or emergency lights, or those in disrepair, to the appropriate school official. Nothing should obstruct visibility of these signs.SPRINKLERS
Items should never hang from, or obscure, any fire sprinkler heads. Fire sprinklers should not show signs of corrosion or leakage; and if they do, it should be reported to the appropriate school authority.FLAMMABLE ARTWORK AND TEACHING MATERIAL
Fire codes limit the amount of wall space that can be covered to 20 percent or 50 percent when the building has fire sprinklers. Fabrics or other flammable materials used as drapes also present fire risks. Such materials may be treated with a spray-on flame retardant. Remember, not all flame retardant applications last forever and must be reapplied periodically.
Questions? Contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at 615-741-6246 or online at www.tn.gov/fire.
*Note: Not all schools are inspected by the SFMO. Some jurisdictions are overseen by their local fire department. A list of exempt jurisdictions can be found here.
 

Could the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency and the Upper Cumberland Development District eventually be merged into one agency? That idea is being reported in an article in the Upper Cumberland Business Journal.The search committee voted to retain Mark Farley as the UCHRA interim director and put the search for a new director on hold. Putnam County Mayor Porter told the Upper Cumberland Business Journal that Farley, UCHRA attorney Danny Rader, and Tennessee Tech University will be tasked with weighing the pros and cons of merging UCHRA and UCDD into one central agency. 
The agencies, both designed to assist the region’s neediest citizens, each offer programs that overlap. In recent months, the workforce development program was trimmed from UCHRA’s roster of responsibilities and given to UCDD to manage after reports of mismanagement and poor documentation were lodged against UCHRA for their management of the program. 
Being in the early stages of determining if a merger is feasible, it is not immediately clear what a possible new structure might look like. 
Those involved with the study will report back to the search committee with their findings once the study is completed. 
Woodbury and Cannon County are both served by the agencies and have representatives on their boards.
Source: Upper Cumberland Business Journal
 

The need for additional cross country training space gets the attention of the Industrial Development Board.  During Thursday night’s meeting of the Cannon County Commission, Corey Davenport, chairman of the Industrial Development Board addressed Commissioners.  The board has advised the Commission they wish to exercise a 90 day option in an agreement with the county for a approximate 4 acre track on Alexander Drive.  The county has previously paid one-dollar per year for the track.  Davenport stated the board wishes to use the track as recreational space.  The plan is to maintain the area for use by the youth of our community for cross country training.  He also indicated the possibility of building an outdoor basketball practice area.Commissioners agreed and also approved access for the Industrial Development Board during the 90-day cancelation period so they may begin their work on the project.
The acreage is located across from the Sheriff’s office on Alexander Drive.

The way you enter the courthouse in Cannon County may change in the future. During the meeting of the Cannon County Commission, Judge Susan Melton informed the group of a recent meeting of the courthouse security committee.
The committee reviewed the current layout for security and developed a plan they hope to implement in the future.  Under the new plan, security personnel and metal scanners will be relocated from the hallway area just outside the courtroom to the lower floor. Another recommendation would call for all persons to enter the courthouse from a single entrance.
Sheriff Darryl Young reported that the new plan will change the personnel needed on court days from one to three.  He also said for the safety of all concerned, a ban of firearms in the courthouse should be enforced.
The courthouse security committee consists of judges, members of the office of court clerk, sheriff’s department and is headed by Chancellor Wilson.
Cannon County is possibly the last courthouse in this area to take these steps. No action has been taken on the plan yet.

The Annual Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) Children’s Fishing Rodeo, is scheduled for this Saturday June 9 at Dillon Park. The Stones River will be stocked with several hundred catfish, and each child who participates will receive a very special tackle box. The Hilton Stone American Legion Post 279, working with TWRA’s Mark Vance, sets up the check-in station and gives out the tackle boxes. Those fishing need to bring their own gear and bait. Gates open at 7:00 a.m., and fishing begins at 8. The legionnaires prepare hot dogs, buns, drinks and chips.  Ice and cold bottled water will also be on hand for children. No fishing will be allowed from the Dillon Park side or the other side of the river until Saturday morning, to make sure the fish are there for the children. TWRA game wardens, Legionnaires and Woodbury Police are patrolling the area until then.

A local resident has filed a lawsuit to halt construction of an asphalt plant.Last month WBRY reported about an asphalt plant under construction on John Bragg Highway.  A 30-day window had opened for public comment pertaining to an air pollution filter permit.
One comment has been filed, not in Nashville but in the county.  County Chancery Court to be specific.
Local resident and attorney Nathan Luna filed a petition earlier this week seeking the removal of the asphalt plant under construction at the intersection of John Bragg Highway (Highway 70 South) and Bradyville Road.
The basis of the lawsuit is the Scenic Highway System Act.
Respondent is a Tennessee limited liability corporation whose principal place of business is located in Wartrace, TN. Chris Hawkins is the registered agent for Defendant at the same address.

Ten cyclists are participating in the 2018 Remember the Removal Bike Ride and Woodbury will be a stop today (Wednesday) on their three-week trek spanning approximately 950 miles along the northern route of the Trail of Tears.  
The Cherokee Nation’s 10 cyclists joined eight from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in Cherokee, North Carolina. After participating in cultural activities and team-building exercises in North Carolina, their ride began in Georgia, Sunday. While commemorating the 180th anniversary of the Trail of Tears, cyclists will travel through seven states before concluding in Oklahoma on June 21.
 
The original Remember the Removal Bike Ride was held in 1984, and the leadership program resumed as an annual ride in 2009. Participants learn about Cherokee Nation’s history, language and culture and get a glimpse of the hardships their ancestors faced while making the journey on foot.
 
Starting in 1838, Cherokees were rounded up and forced from their homes in Georgia, Tennessee and other southeastern states to the Cherokee Nation’s current capital in Tahlequah. Of approximately 16,000 Cherokees who were forced to make the journey to Indian Territory, about 4,000 died from disease, starvation and exposure to the elements.
  
Follow the Remember the Removal Bike Ride at http://www.facebook.com/removal.ride and at www.remembertheremoval.cherokee.org. On Twitter and Instagram, search for the hashtags #RTR2018 and #WeRemember.
 
The cyclists will be traveling from Spencer to Murfreesboro today.  Anyone who would like to meet the riders and welcome them to Cannon County should come to the Farmers Market at the Arts Center on John Bragg Highway. The estimated time of arrival should be from Noon until 3:00pm.
 

Are you ready for the ‘Roo?  The annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival will soon take place in the city of Manchester, Tennessee.  Since its beginning in 2002, the four-day, multi-stage event continues to be one of the most popular live music festivals in the country, attracting thousands of attendees. To fully enjoy the varied lineup of performers and musical styles that Bonnaroo has to offer, festivalgoers from all over the country camp out on a 700-acre Middle Tennessee farm, making it their temporary home for four days.
As in years past, tens of thousands of music lovers are expected to attend the 2018 Bonnaroo festival, which kicks off Thursday night, June 7, and winds down Sunday night, June 10.
During the Bonnaroo Festival, the area in and around Manchester sees increased traffic volume as festivalgoers make their way into the festival site.  As Manchester prepares to welcome a multitude of visitors, the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Tennessee Highway Patrol are gearing up for the extra traffic expected in the area.  TDOT and THP are working closely with the Manchester Police Department, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department and festival promoters to keep traffic moving on I-24 while also getting Bonnaroo attendees to their destination.

“TDOT has once again coordinated with our partners at THP and other agencies to ensure safe, efficient travel during the Bonnaroo festival,” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer.  “The main objective is to keep through traffic moving smoothly on I‑24 while getting festivalgoers safely into and out of the Bonnaroo site.  Because of advance planning, we feel certain that we can successfully minimize traffic delays throughout the weekend as we have in past years.”

This year, Bonnaroo will officially open all its gates on Wednesday evening June 6 at 8:00 p.m. CDT to allow more time for vehicles to enter the campgrounds.  State Troopers will be on-the-job 24 hours a day, beginning Wednesday evening, patrolling on the ground and by air.  Also, drivers should keep in mind that if they need the assistance of a state trooper while traveling anywhere in Tennessee, they can simply dial *THP (*847) from their cell phone.  They will be automatically connected to the nearest THP dispatch office and the operator will send a state trooper to their location.

“The number one goal of the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is to reduce traffic related incidents and fatalities,” said THP Colonel Dereck Stewart. “I have emphasized a statewide priority to our captains the importance of working closely with TDOT and our public safety partners. So think twice if you are planning to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, because troopers and local law enforcement will be looking for you. Always wear your seatbelt, and do not drive distracted. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is committed more than ever to reducing crashes and saving lives on Tennessee roadways.”

During Bonnaroo 2017, Troopers logged nearly 6,240 man-hours, worked 6 traffic crashes (0 fatal, 3 injury, and 3 property damage crashes), and wrote 1,066 citations (moving 381, non-moving 685) and issued 0 warnings.  A breakdown of all THP-issued citations during last year’s festival period is included in this release.
TDOT HELP units will assist with traffic management during the festival and will aid any motorists who require assistance.  In addition to having HELP trucks on-site, TDOT and other agencies will be taking the following steps beginning Wednesday, June 6 through Monday, June 11:

Efforts will be concentrated on keeping I-24 traffic flowing.

Exit 111 (SR 55) will be used as the main festival exit. Exits 97, 105, 112 (temporary exit on westbound side only), 117 and 127 are alternate exits if congestion occurs on the interstate.

TDOT maintenance units will be posted throughout the festival region, and maintenance personnel will be on call all weekend.

TDOT will provide variable message signs to warn drivers of delays.

There will be no construction-related lane closures on I-24 near the Bonnaroo festival area between 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 6 through 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 11.

Median crossovers will be guarded to prevent motorists from parking in the crossovers and blocking emergency vehicles.

Festival traffic will be kept in the right lane and/or on the shoulder of the interstate, allowing through traffic to utilize the left travel lane unimpeded.

Emergency vehicles will use county roads that will be kept at low volume.

Bonnaroo promoters issued early news releases to the trucking industry and other sources to alert the traveling public to festival times, location, and alternate routes.

Temporary communication towers are in place to improve emergency communications.
During the festival, motorists should call 511 from any mobile or land line phone for traffic updates or visit the TDOT website at www.tn.gov/tdot where they can also find information on alternate routes.  From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest traffic information and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic.  TDOT is also on Twitter.  For statewide traffic tweets follow TN511 or for regional traffic information follow Nashville511, Chattanooga511, Memphis511 and Knoxville511.