News

United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties hosted its annual Community Celebration Luncheon last week at the MTSU Student Union Ballroom.

United Way’s mission to improve health, education, and financial stability would not have been possible without the help and support of our local community. The Community Celebration occurs each year and is a time of reflection and recognition of individuals, organizations, and partners who have significantly impacted our community over the past year.

The event included recognition of the 2022-2023 award winners: Board Member of the Year, Dr. Jill Austin; Community Engagement Award, Middle Tennessee Electric; Community Impact Award, Pinnacle Financial Partners; Employee Campaign Manager of the Year, Stacy Wallace; Dr. Linda Gilbert Advocacy Award, Deb Thompson; Rise Award, Kennametal; Volunteer of the Year, Fran Jones; Witherspoon Society Award, Chris and Bonita Jones; Young Leader of the Year, Sierra Lowry.

New board members were introduced for the 2023-2024 fiscal year: Brandon Doyle, Pinnacle Financial Partners; Yolanda Greene, First Horizon Bank; Francela Salas, Redstone Federal Credit Union; Stacy Wilder, Regions Bank; Ty Williams, UPS.

Most notably, our local United Way announced a record year of impact – more than $3.9 million in impact in Rutherford and Cannon Counties for the year 2022-2023. This is made possible through the combined efforts of every donor, volunteer, sponsor, staff member, advocate, and community partner.

Another exciting development from this year is the expansion of our United Way’s service area, announced at the Community Celebration. In the spring of 2023, our local United Way went from serving two counties – Rutherford and Cannon – to four. Our local United Way will now serve Rutherford, Cannon, Bedford, and Lincoln Counties.

CEO and President of the local United Way, Meagan Flippin, shares, “This new endeavor is a great opportunity for community collaboration and expansion of our collective impact. This growth is made possible by the donors, sponsors, and volunteers of our local United Way. We are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the past year of tremendous impact and look forward to the year ahead for our growing community.”

Cannon County Schools had two separate incidents on Monday, August 14, 2023.

Monday morning, Cannon South was dismissed due to a fire alarm being activated by an electrical issue in the school’s cafeteria. Repairs have been made, and school will resume Tuesday.

Monday afternoon, a bus traveling from Cannon North to the Auburn community was involved in an incident at the top of Locks Creek Road. Local authorities and school and district administration arrived on the scene. Students were transported by another bus to the Auburntown Church of Christ to reunify with parents. The Tennessee Highway Patrol was called and is investigating the incident.

After rising for three consecutive weeks, the state gas price average has moved slightly lower. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $3.43 which is 34 cents more expensive than one month ago but seven cents less than one year ago.  

“Gas prices moved slightly lower across Tennessee last week, which is a nice break from the recent trends we’ve seen. Gas prices previously rose 37 cents in a three-week period,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for The Auto Club Group. “While this is a welcome change, it’s uncertain how long this downward trend will last. Last week, gasoline futures rebounded to levels similar to what we were seeing earlier this month. For this week, drivers should continue to expect fluctuations in pump pricing and know that there is a possibility that gas prices may begin to move higher given the recent changes we’ve seen in the market.” 

Quick Facts

• 80% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $3.50 
• The lowest 10% of pump prices are $3.22 for regular unleaded 
• The highest 10% of pump prices are $3.74 for regular unleaded
• Tennessee is now the 4th least expensive market in the nation 

National Gas Prices

The national average for a gallon of gas moved three cents higher after hovering around $3.82 for about ten days, a noteworthy length for price stability. 

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand jumped from 8.84 to 9.30 million b/d last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks decreased from 219.1 to 216.4 million bbl. Higher demand, amid tighter supply, has helped to keep pump prices elevated. If gas demand remains high, alongside increasing oil prices, drivers should brace for increases in pump prices. 

Today’s national average of $3.85 is 29 cents more than a month ago but 10 cents less than a year ago.

Tennessee Regional Prices 

• Most expensive metro markets – Jackson ($3.51), Memphis ($3.48), Nashville ($3.47) 
• Least expensive metro markets – Knoxville ($3.36), Chattanooga ($3.36), Clarksville ($3.39) 

DeKalb Telephone Cooperative, Inc. doing business as DTC Communications will host its annual meeting on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at the DeKalb County Fairgrounds in Alexandria.

Directors will be elected in the Milton, Norene, and Woodbury exchanges. Incumbents Jim Vinson – Milton exchange, Terry McPeak – Norene exchange, and Brian Alexander – Woodbury exchange are running unopposed.
Voting for directors will take place at the cooperative’s annual meeting on Saturday, Sept. 16. Gates to the DeKalb County Fairgrounds in Alexandria will open at 8:45 a.m., with voting from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. The business meeting will begin at 11a.m. or once the last person in line at that time has voted.

Only DTC members may vote, and each member must present proper photo identification. For a single membership, only that individual may vote. Either member of a joint membership may vote, but not both. In the case of a business membership, a business affidavit is required.

The last day to make changes to your membership or to be eligible to vote in the 2023 election will be Thursday, Sept. 7. For questions regarding membership and voting, call DTC at (615) 529-2955.

Cannon County Schools is continuing to strengthen measures to ensure a safe environment for our school community.  Due to Governor Lee’s new safety legislation, new security procedures will be implemented this school year.  Principals were trained on the new laws and procedures and will educate their staff and students. Hiring a new Safety Director and restructuring staff duties at the Central Office will also allow for a more focused and targeted approach to all school safety and student support facets. 

William (Bill) West II was recently hired as the new part-time Safety Director for Cannon County.  Bill is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University.  He brings over 36 years of law enforcement and SRO experience to our school system.  Mr. West is a certified trainer for the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) and a certified trainer for CPTED (Crime Prevention through Environment Design).  He is also certified in threat assessments and the Past President of the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO).  Mr. West and his wife, Lynn, have been married for 37 years and have three children, Will (32), Taylor (28), and Devin (23).  He is the proud foster grandfather to Bentley (2) and the proud grandfather to Liam West (1).

Stephanie Alexander has transferred to the Coordinated School Health and Supervisor of Attendance/Data role.  Mrs. Alexander will continue her work as the ESSER coordinator, which will end at the end of this school year.  By streamlining this position, Mrs. Alexander will have more time to focus on students’ physical, social, and emotional needs and track student attendance.  Her experience as a teacher, principal, and supervisor and her attention to detail will strengthen student support and help bring about additional TISA funding.

Director of Cannon County Schools, Mrs. Bonnie Patterson, stated, “We are extremely fortunate to have both Bill and Stephanie in these positions.  They bring a wealth of experience to our school system and will add additional support for our students and staff.”

As students across Tennessee are gearing up to head back to school, AAA is reminding drivers to stay alert and avoid unsafe driving behaviors in school zones and at school bus stops. This time of year is particularly dangerous due to the combination of young, inexperienced drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists who will all share the road in the early morning and afternoon hours.

“School zones and bus stops can become risky and dangerous places for students if safety is not kept top of mind. That’s why the AAA School’s Open – Drive Carefully awareness campaign was created — to remind drivers of the unique challenges present in the early days of the back-to-school season,” said Stephanie Milani, Tennessee Public Affairs Director, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Our goal is to educate and remind drivers of the need to curb unsafe driving behaviors, slow down and stay alert in areas where children may be present.”

A new survey from AAA found that over half of Tennesseans’ daily commutes take them through either school zones or school bus stops, yet only 76% of residents felt very confident that they knew the laws for passing a school bus when its red flashing lights are activated.

Alarmingly, 5% of residents were not at all confident they knew the laws for passing a school bus. 14% of respondents admitted to driving around a school bus while its red lights were flashing and its stop arm was extended.

The survey also found that drivers admitted to risky driving behaviors when driving through school zones:

• 42% admitted to speeding in an active school zone.
• 32% admitted to using their hand-held cell phone while driving in active school zones.

“When driving through a school zone, it’s extremely important that you lower your speed and raise your awareness to ensure you can respond to any potential hazards,” Milani continued. “Remember, in Tennessee it is illegal to use your handheld mobile device while driving through an active school zone.”

Top AAA Safety Tips for Drivers

• Slow down. Speed limits in school zones are reduced for a reason. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 25 mph is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling just 10 mph faster.
• Come to a complete stop. Research shows that more than one-third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones or neighborhoods. Always come to a complete stop, checking carefully for children on sidewalks and in crosswalks before proceeding.
• Eliminate distractions. Research shows that taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your chances of crashing.
• Share the road with bicyclists. Children on bicycles are often unsteady, inexperienced, and unpredictable. Slow down and allow at least three feet of passing distance between your vehicle and a bicyclist.
• Talk to your teen. Car crashes are one of the leading causes of death for teens in the United States, and nearly one in four fatal crashes involving teen drivers occurs during the after-school hours of 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Top AAA Safety Tips for Students

For Pedestrians

• Pay attention at all times. Avoid texting or wearing headphones, so you can detect nearby traffic.  
• Use sidewalks where available. If not, walk against the direction of traffic so you can see oncoming vehicles.
• Make yourself easier to be seen by wearing reflective, bright colored clothing.

For Bicyclists

• Wear a helmet and neon or bright colored clothes.
• Ride in the same direction as traffic and stay as far to the right as possible. Use bike lanes when you can.
• Do not wear headphones so you can detect approaching traffic.
• Cross the street at intersections. Do not pull into the roadway from between parked cars.

For Students at the Bus Stop

• Arrive at least 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
• Stay five steps away from the curb/road.
• Be alert and remove headphones so you can hear oncoming traffic.
• Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and the bus driver signals for you to board.

Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued the special session proclamation and presented the administration’s legislative and budget priorities that will go before the Tennessee General Assembly during the special session on public safety, convening August 21.

“As our nation faces evolving public safety threats, Tennessee remains vigilant and is taking continued action to protect communities while preserving the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “In the months leading up to the public safety special session, we have listened to Tennesseans and worked with members of the General Assembly to identify thoughtful, practical measures to strengthen public safety across our state, including steps to support law enforcement, address mental health, prevent violent crime and stop human trafficking. I thank the General Assembly for its continued partnership and look forward to achieving meaningful results for Tennesseans.”

Gov. Lee will present legislative and budget priorities during the public safety special session to keep Tennessee communities safe, support law enforcement and address mental health, all while preserving constitutional rights. In addition to bringing the following solutions in the administration package, the Governor will continue to work with members of the General Assembly on other legislation specified in the call.

1. Codification of EO 100 and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Report Implementation: Requires reporting of accurate, complete and timely records from court clerks to the TBI within 72-hours and requires electronic submissions of dispositions and expungements to the TBI

2. TennCare Mental Health Coverage Waiver: Directs TennCare to seek a waiver from the federal government to allow federal matching funds for Medicaid to cover services for mental illness and substance use disorders at institutions of mental diseases

3. Addressing Mental Health Workforce Challenges: Budget initiatives that prioritize opportunities to grow and retain mental health professionals in the state

4. Reforms for Mental Health: Expands access to mental health treatment by eliminating certain collaborative practice requirements for Advanced Registered Practice Nurses with psychiatric training

5. Strengthening the Identification of Individuals Arrested for Felonies: Provides for the collection of DNA at the time of an arrest for all felonies

6. Human Trafficking Report: Resolution directing TBI to report on the state of human trafficking in Tennessee

7. Promoting Safe Storage: Eliminates taxes on firearm safes and safety devices, provides free gun locks, expands safe storage training in state-approved safety courses, and creates a public service announcement to promote safe storage

To date, more than 20,000 Tennesseans have submitted public comments on strengthening public safety, and the form will remain open through the entirety of the special session to ensure that Tennesseans can continue engaging in the conversation.

The consideration of a “red flag” law mentioned by the Governor earlier in the planning for the special session is missing from the agenda.

The full special session proclamation can be viewed here.

There isn’t a better way to support your local farms and community than by shopping at a farmers market. Tennessee will highlight peak season during National Farmers Market Week Aug. 6-12, 2023.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Pick Tennessee Products program will celebrate National Farmers Market Week with social media highlights from markets across the state using the hashtag #PickTNFarmersMarkets. The Agriculture Department encourages you to use #PickTNFarmersMarkets when sharing your farmers market photos online.

“Farmers markets play a pivotal role in fostering community connections and driving positive impacts across not only the state of Tennessee, but across the globe, ”President of Tennessee Association of Farmers Markets Kasi Haire said. “These vibrant marketplaces not only provide fresh and locally-sourced produce but also serve as a hub for cultural exchange, supporting local economies, and promoting sustainable practices.”

Pick Tennessee Products is the perfect connection to a farmers market near you. There are currently 167 farmers markets listed on the Pick Tennessee Products website and mobile app. Cannon County’s Farmers Market is Saturday morning at the Arts Center of Cannon County on John Bragg Highway in Woodbury.

Follow @PickTNProducts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for seasonal updates and information about farm-related events, activities, and products.

An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation into allegations of sexual battery against a juvenile has resulted in the indictment and arrest of a now-former Rutherford County corrections officer.

At the request of 16th Judicial District Attorney General Jennings Jones, on July 16^th, agents began investigating allegations that Clifford Carr had sexual contact with a juvenile victim who was less than 13 years old. The investigation revealed that on July 12^th and 13^th, at the time he was still a corrections officer, Carr exposed himself to the victim, and displayed sexual activity to the victim. Carr is no longer employed by Rutherford County.

On July 31^st, the Cannon County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Clifford Ryan Carr with one count each of Aggravated Sexual Battery, Sexual Contact with a Minor by an Authority Figure, Solicitation of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure, and Indecent Exposure. Carr was arrested and booked into the Cannon County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation into allegations of sexual battery against a juvenile has resulted in the indictment and arrest of a Woodbury police officer.

At the request of 16th Judicial District Attorney General Jennings Jones, on July 18^th, agents began investigating allegations involving Tommie Lee House. The investigation revealed that, earlier this year, House solicited an exploitive image from the juvenile victim and, on a separate occasion, had sexual contact with the victim while on duty. The department decommissioned House when the allegations surfaced and placed him on administrative leave.

On July 31^st, the Cannon County Grand Jury returned indictments, charging House with one count each of Solicitation of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Especially Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Aggravated Sexual Battery, Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure, and Official Misconduct. Authorities arrested House and booked him into the Cannon County Jail on a $75,000 bond.