Commencement ceremonies for the class of 2023 are scheduled for May 19th, 2023. One-hundred eighteen students will walk the line at Fred Schwartz Field.
Cannon County’s Radio Station continues the tradition of air profiles of the members of the graduating class. During midday broadcast hours, listeners will have the opportunity to learn more about the leaders of tomorrow. Profiles for week two include:
Monday, May 8th
9am Colton Lemamer
10am Sara Jean King
11am Kellie Ann Koss
12pm Alexis Luduc
1pm Kaitlyn Laduc
2pm William Lorrance
3pm Jada Luurs
4pm Chassdi Mann
Tuesday, May 9th
9am Brody Morris
10am Grace Mathis
11am Jayden McCombs
12pm Alexia McPeak
1pm Josh Mingle
2pm Brydan McCavanagh
3pm James Aidan Moore
Wednesday, May 10th
9am Travis Lee Myers Jr.
10am Charlee Kate Nichols
11am Lola Jo Odom
12pm Shayna OkoAhlohToro
1pm Taban Paxon
2pm Bradley Passenger
3pm Aiden Pope
Thursday, May 11th
9am Tyson Ray Pope
10am Savannah Porter
11am Ethan Powell
12pm Aiden Purdy
1pm Madelyn Reed
2pm Luis Rodeguez
3pm Connor Rodgers
Friday, May 12th
9am Jayden Rhea
10am Taylor Ross
11am Alana Rusnack
12pm Xylene Sadsad
1pm Paul Ethan Simon
2pm Alexis Jade Sissom
3pm Branson Smithson
Senior awards night will be Monday, May 8th ( 7:00PM) at Robert A. Harris Gymnasium. WBRY will broadcast awards night and commencement ceremonies on May 19th.
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the assistance of the public in finding Melissa A. Sanders, a 49-year-old white female who is wanted for the crimes of Theft of Property, $1,000.00 or More, and Financial Exploitation of an Elderly or Vulnerable Adult.
According to the authorities, there is currently no information on the type of vehicle that Sanders may be driving.
The authorities are urging anyone with information on her whereabouts to come forward and contact Warren County Investigator Spencer Pryor at (931) 473-8032 or the non-emergency number of the E-911 Center at (931) 668-7000.
Governor Bill Lee has announced the appointment of Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds as commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE), effective July 1. Reynolds will succeed Dr. Penny Schwinn, who will step down at the end of the school year after more than four years of service to Tennesseans.
“During her years of dedicated service, Penny has played a key role in our administration’s work to ensure educational opportunity for Tennessee students and secure the next generation of teachers, while navigating historic learning challenges,” said Lee. “I have tremendous gratitude for her leadership and wish her much success in her next chapter.”
Dr. Penny Schwinn joined the Lee administration in January 2019 and has served the state through some of the most challenging education crises in modern history. During Schwinn’s tenure, considerable initiatives to accelerate K-12 education have been implemented and several nationally recognized initiatives have been introduced, including:
School Funding Reform: In 2022, the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) Act reformed the state’s outdated 30-year-old funding formula and made the largest recurring investment in state history.
Education Savings Account Program: Tennessee implemented the Education Savings Account (ESA) program to give Tennessee parents a choice in their child’s education. Today, 1,400 students have been approved to attend the school of their choice and nearly 500 students are enrolled in a participating school.
Preparing the Future Workforce: Tennessee has strengthened vocational education opportunities to give students the skills needed to join the workforce, investing $500 million to expand middle and high school career and technical education programs and extending additional dual enrollment credits for high school juniors and seniors through the Governor’s Investment in Education (GIVE) program. Tennessee also created the Future Workforce Initiative to increase STEM training in K-12 schools, aimed at placing Tennessee in the top 25 states for creating technology jobs by launching new Computer Science and STEM-focused programs.
Teaching Apprenticeship: Tennessee became the first state in the country to make teaching an apprentice-based profession, making it free to become a teacher while being paid to do so. The Grow Your Own initiative has significantly increased the number of teachers, special education and ESL endorsements, aspiring principals and assistant principals, and school leaders of color.
Prioritizing Literacy & Learning Loss Intervention: Tennessee was among the first states to get students back in the classroom in 2020 and swiftly address learning loss. During an historic special legislative session in January 2021, Gov. Lee and members of the General Assembly passed strong literacy programs to benefit students, namely Reading 360, which has led to almost full academic recovery and created the largest permanent summer school program serving pre-K–9th grade and the largest state tutoring program in the country with over 200,000 students served.
Innovative School Models: With the single largest one-time investment in public education in state history, Tennessee’s Innovative School Models grant expanded postsecondary opportunities for middle and high school students and more than quadrupled the number of apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities for students.
Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds will succeed Schwinn as commissioner of TDOE.
“Lizzette’s significant education policy expertise and leadership make her well-suited to continue our work to deliver a high-quality education and expand school choice for Tennessee students,” said Lee. “I welcome her to Tennessee and appreciate her service to students, families and teachers across the state.”
Reynolds is currently the Vice President of Policy for ExcelinEd and has previously served as deputy legislative director for then-Governor George W. Bush, Special Assistant in the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs for U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige, Regional Representative for U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings and Chief Deputy Commissioner at the Texas Education Agency. Her career reflects a deep commitment to school choice, assessment and accountability, college and career pathways and education policy. She earned her undergraduate degree from Southwestern University. She is married to David Reynolds and has three children, Luke, Lillianna and Joaquin.
Sam Pearcy, currently Deputy Commissioner of Operations at TDOE, will serve as the department’s interim commissioner until July 1.
Commencement ceremonies for the class of 2023 are scheduled for May 19th, 2023. One-hundred eighteen students will walk the line at Fred Schwartz Field.
Cannon County’s Radio Station continues the tradition of air profiles of the members of the graduating class. During midday broadcast hours, listeners will have the opportunity to learn more about the leaders of tomorrow. Profiles for week one include:
Monday, May 1st
9am Sierra Ashford
10am Alexis Barnes
11am Montana Blaine
12pm Kathryn Blackman
1pm Bryson Blasingame
2pm Christopher Blount Jr.
3pm Joda Bobo
Tuesday, May 2nd
9am Haley Bumbalagh
10am Haliegh Christy
11am Zoey Coe
12pm Christopher Church
1pm Patricia Crane
2pm Montana Davis
3pm Cloudia Gracia Diaz
Wednesday, May 3rd
9am Leighanne Dodd
10am Braden Emberton
11am Austin Ferrell
12pm Jacob Foster
1pm Nicholas Foster
2pm Hannah Jo Foulk
3pm Sadie Frazier
Thursday, May 4th
9am Kemberleigh Freeman
10am Haliee Gunter
11am Ana Guerreo
12pm Tyler Gunter
1pm Keilee Hedrick
2pm Jaden Henderson
3pm Brady Higgins
Friday, May 5th
9am Alex Hill
10am Ricky Hollis
11am Anaston Holt
12pm Greg Howard
1pm Joshua Jerrinigan
2pm Aleeya Johnson
3pm Kimberly Johnson
4pm Kaitlyn Judkins
Senior awards night will be Monday, May 8th at Robert A. Harris Gymnasium. WBRY will broadcast awards night and commencement ceremonies on May 19th.
Cannon County Elementary School located at 530 West Adams Street, Woodbury and Cannon County Middle School located at 511 Annie Cox Drive, Woodbury will be CLOSED on Thursday, May 4th, 2023 & Friday, May 5th, 2023 due to installation of rooftop HVAC Units and shutoff of water during the installation.
Director of Cannon County Schools – William Freddy Curtis stated, “Cannon County Elementary School and Cannon County Middle School will be CLOSED on Thursday, May 4th, 2023 & Friday, May 5th, 2023 due to installation of rooftop HVAC Units and shutoff of water during the installation. These units to be replaced are located on top of the Gymnasium, Foyer, and Cafeteria. Cranes will be on-site to remove the old units and install the new units, which are water-source units, thus the water will have to be cut off during the school day. Additionally, some classroom HVAC units that have had problems will be replaced during these two days.
Third Grade thru 8th Grade will have Google Classroom Assignments and PreK thru Second Grade will have paper packets sent home with assignments. Grab and go breakfast and lunches will be distributed Wednesday May 3rd, 2023. Meals will be distributed at the end of the school day for students to take home for the two virtual days. If you have questions/concerns regarding meals, please contact Jennifer Insell 629-201-4809 or Lisa Black 629-201-4805. We appreciate parents/guardians of Cannon County Elementary School and Cannon County Middle School for their understanding during these needed HVAC replacements.”
Tennessee houses of worship and certain other nonprofit organizations in the counties affected by the storms and tornadoes on March 31 to April 1, 2023, may be eligible for grants from FEMA’s Public Assistance program. The grants can help pay for emergency protective measures, debris removal and restoration of disaster-damaged facilities.
Who is Eligible
Private nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, that have sustained storm damage in Cannon, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Rutherford, Tipton and Wayne counties may be eligible for the program.
The nonprofit organizations must provide a noncritical, essential social service such as community and senior citizen centers.
Nonprofit organizations must also provide a current ruling letter from the Internal Revenue Service granting tax exemption under Section 501 (c) (d) or (e) of the IRS Code of 1954 or through the State of Tennessee.
This category of nonprofit must go through the loan application process with the U.S. Small Business Administrationbefore FEMA can determine eligibility for its Public Assistance program.
SBA’s low-interest disaster loans provide up to $2 million for repair or replacement of disaster-damaged property including furniture, fixtures and other essential contents. Houses of worship are not required to accept a loan, but FEMA will not fund repairs unless an SBA loan application is denied or does not fully cover the permanent work costs.
Insurance settlements can be a factor. FEMA will need to see any insurance policy covering the facility and documentation on any proceeds received. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits; FEMA will cover only expenses not covered by insurance.
Submitting a Request for Public Assistance
After a major federal disaster declaration, the state holds applicant briefings to inform potential applicants of the assistance available and how to apply. Applicants must then file a Request for Public Assistance, or RPA.
Houses of worship are encouraged to contact their county emergency management office for more information on how to submit a Request for Public Assistance.
The application deadline for submitting a Request for Public Assistance is Saturday, May 6, 2023.
Following the approved request, FEMA and the applicants will hold meetings to discuss disaster-caused damage and how to develop the project. Applicants must identify and report their needs by the May 6 deadline.
If a project request is approved, FEMA obligates project funds, which are received by the state. The state determines how much of those costs is the applicant’s responsibility.
On Friday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee marked the close of the 2023 legislative session, which includes the successful passage of his $56.2 billion budget and full legislative agenda as outlined during his State of the State address in February.
“To prepare Tennessee for continued growth and prosperity, we’ve made strategic investments to cut taxes, strengthen our workforce, ensure educational opportunity and modernize transportation infrastructure across our state,” said Lee. “I commend the General Assembly for its partnership to pass conservative measures and maintain Tennessee’s reputation for strong fiscal stewardship.”
Lee’s agenda included the landmark Transportation Modernization Act, historic legislation that will create a new transportation strategy and invest $3.3 billion to accommodate Tennessee’s record growth, address traffic congestion and meet transportation needs across rural and urban communities without raising taxes or taking on debt.
The roster of budget and legislative priorities also dedicated $250 million to Tennessee’s Rainy Day Fund, bringing totals to an historic $2.05 billion, and included significant investments in tax relief, K-12 education, Tennessee’s skilled workforce and conservation. Notably, Lee led a comprehensive school safety proposal to enhance physical security in public and non-public schools across Tennessee.
Highlights from Lee’s agenda include the following:
Transportation & Infrastructure Modernization
$3 billion to the Transportation Modernization Fund to alleviate urban congestion and fund rural road projects across the state, which includes $750 million allocated to each of Tennessee’s four TDOT regions
$300 million to expand the State Aid Program for local road projects, allocating 15 times more funding toward local communities than they receive each year for transportation projects
Ensures that Tennessee has the resources necessary to meet current and future transportation needs by engaging in Public-Private Partnerships (P3s), Alternative Delivery Models and Electric/Hybrid vehicle fee parity
Economic Opportunity & Tax Relief
More than $400 million in tax cuts for Tennessee families and businesses through the Tennessee Works Tax Act, one of the largest tax relief measures in Tennessee history
$273 million for a one-time, three-month sales tax holiday on grocery items, providing tax relief for Tennessee families
More than $150 million in annual small business tax relief, including raising the exemption threshold for the business tax, exempting the first $50,000 of net income from excise tax and protecting the first $500,000 in property investment from the franchise tax
$64 million to simplify tax administration and conform with the federal bonus depreciation provisions of 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, allowing businesses to more quickly recover costs and further incentivize investment in Tennessee production
Provides foundation for supporting Tennessee’s continued economic growth, aligning Tennessee with more than 30 states by adopting “single sales factor” apportionment for franchise and excise tax
Skilled Workforce
Nearly $1 billion to complete the TCAT Master Plan to improve 16 existing TCATs, replace seven outdated facilities and build six brand new TCATs at strategic locations across Tennessee
Enhanced School Safety Measures
$30 million for more than 100 Homeland Security agents across all 95 counties to serve Tennesseans and students in both public and non-public schools
$140 million for one full-time, armed School Resource Officer (SRO) for every public school
$40 million for public school security upgrades
$14 million for private school security upgrades
$8 million for additional School-Based Behavioral Health Liaisons across the state
Enacts a multi-tiered accountability plan to ensure exterior doors are locked while students are present
Requires that private security guards receive active shooter training prior to being posted at schools
Requires every school district to establish threat assessment teams to ensure students are connected to support services and behavioral health professionals when appropriate
Requires every public and private school to develop annual safety plans, including a newly required incident command drill for school leaders and law enforcement
Great Schools
$350 million in additional funding to local education agencies through Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA)
Combined with $750 million in the base budget, new recurring state funding for the education formula totals more than $1 billion
Includes $125 million for teacher pay raises
Increases the minimum teacher salary to $50,000 by 2026, making Tennessee a top-10 state for teacher pay in the nation, and protects teachers and taxpayers by ensuring school districts no longer collect union dues
Includes funding to extend summer learning camps and expand the eligibility age to Kindergarten through 9th grade
Strong & Healthy Families
$330 million in shared savings under our first-in-the-nation TennCare Medicaid waiver will help provide for the health of mothers and infants in our most vulnerable communities, providing care at no additional burden to Tennessee taxpayers that will:
Cover the cost of diapers during the first two years of a baby’s life for mothers on TennCare, becoming the first state in the nation to support parents in this way
Expand TennCare to underserved parents, supporting an extra 8,100 parents each year
Establish continuous coverage for children, ensuring no lapse in coverage for children for at least a year, which will help an estimated 10,000 children remain enrolled
Make permanent Tennessee’s post-partum coverage benefit, ensuring a full year of TennCare coverage to support approximately 3,000 new mothers every year
Adjust TennCare’s income threshold for pregnant women to 250% of the federal poverty level to cover an additional 2,400 new mothers in need every year
$20 million for Crisis Pregnancy Provider Support Grants to support crisis pregnancy non-profits, improving access to healthcare and information for expecting mothers
$10.25 million for TN Fosters Hope grant funding to elevate high quality care for children and families impacted by foster care and adoption, allowing providers to expand services to foster and adoptive families
$29 million to expand programming for children with complex or special needs that face challenges being placed in a traditional foster or adoptive home by further developing the provider network and providing respite and long-term care
Protecting Tennessee Children
Improves the state’s foster care and adoption process to make foster care, adoption and surrender more child-centered and user-friendly by providing more supports for expecting mothers and foster/adoptive families
$5.7 million in supplemental 2022-23 funding to increase provider placements for children in state custody
$33 million to increase bed capacity in the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) provider network, reducing the time children and youth spend in offices and children’s homes
$15.9 million to align DCS case manager salary with market salary regionally and in the private sector
Modernizes the process for storing and recording adoption records within DCS
Safe Neighborhoods
Adds 100 Highway Patrol Troopers and related support staff and 25 Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Forensic Services staff
$30 million addition to the TN Law Enforcement Hiring, Training and Recruitment Program (Year 2)
$50 million expansion of the Violent Crime Intervention Fund
$357 million for network expansion of the Tennessee Advanced Communication Network (TACN) to transition remaining state agencies into TACN, improve coverage and provide infrastructure grants for local agencies to join TACN
Brighter Future
Improve and expand three additional state natural areas, build two new park lodges, complete four more outdoor trails and create four new state parks
$5.3 million for the Rural Brownfields Investment Act to begin remediation efforts for 175 known brownfield sites, including the creation of a new state-administered grant and technical support program for remediation and economic development of existing brownfields
$50 million for a Nuclear Fund to recruit companies to our state that will establish a nuclear development and manufacturing ecosystem built for the future of Tennessee
Asset Management
$1.7 billion to address capital improvements and maintenance, including Tennessee State Parks and TCATs
Ensures more than $2.6 billion of recurring revenue is allocated to one-time expenditures, allowing the return of these resources for review and budgeting next fiscal year
New data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) showed the statewide preliminary unemployment rate for March decreased to 3.4% after the statistic has held steady at 3.5% for the last five months.
The decrease put the seasonally adjusted rate for March just 0.2 of a percentage point away from Tennessee’s all-time low jobless number of 3.2%.
In a year-to-year comparison, the statewide unemployment rate increased slightly from 3.3% to 3.4%.
Employers across the state continue to add workers to their payrolls. They created 1,700 new nonfarm jobs between February and March. The largest increase occurred in the leisure and hospitality sector. The manufacturing sector and the education and health services sector had the next largest month-to-month increases.
Tennessee also experienced an increase in nonfarm employment over the last year. Employers added 96,900 jobs across the state. The leisure and hospitality sector, the education and health services, and then the government sector accounted for the biggest gains in employment. TDLWD has prepared a complete analysis of the state’s March 2023 unemployment data which is available here.
Nationally, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate also decreased in March. It dropped 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.5%. When compared to the March 2022 rate, the current figure decreased by 0.1 of a percentage point.
Tennessee employers, in every corner of the state, continue to search for a skilled workforce. Jobs4TN.gov has more than 350,000 open positions posted.
Job seekers can find a wide range of information that can help them return to the workforce at TNWorkReady.com. The site has resources available that will point individuals to the nearest American Job Center, help them identify job training opportunities, or lead them down the path to a high school equivalency diploma.
“Saturday was the perfect morning for the 5th annual Cannon Runs for Children 5K,” announced Cannon County Coordinator Amanda Hammond. “The Cannon County Child Advocacy Center wants to thank all the sponsors and runners. It was a beautiful day to run.”
The event was held at the Arts Center of Cannon County. Keith Ready, Cannon Courier News and Sports Content Creator, was the master of ceremonies.
The Honorable Judge Susan Melton presented the Hometown Heroes Award to Tony Burnett for his outstanding dedication to justice for Cannon County children. Child Advocacy Center director Sharon De Boer announced that Venessa Hyer from the Department of Children’s Services won the second Hometown Heroes Award.
L-R: Judge Matt Cowan, CAC’s Sharon DeBoer, Tony Burnett, Hometown Hero award winner, Retired Judge Susan Melton
Ready expressed sincere gratitude to the event sponsors. The Platinum sponsor was the Arts Center of Cannon County. The Gold Sponsor was Stones River Wealth Management. Silver and Bronze sponsors were the Cowan Family, DTC Communications, Experience Community Church Cannon County, First Bank, Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, Connie Higgins with Higgins Flea Market, Tri Star Title Company, Retired District Attorney General Bill and Lucy Whitesell, and Woodbury Drug Center. Friends of the CAC included 210 Willow, Cyndi Bush, Capstar Bank, Jonathon Fagan Attorney at Law, Katina George Circuit Court Clerk, Iron Pig Antiques, Overstreet HVAC, Preston Brothers, and Nolan and Treava Travis.
Ready also thanked Blake Finney from Shelter Insurance, CASA, Cannon County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, and Stones River Wealth Management volunteers for providing granola bars, bananas, and bottled water for the runners. He expressed appreciation to the Arts Center of Cannon County for graciously donating the venue and providing a place for the runners to warm up!
Tony Burnett led a prayer for the runner’s safety and Personal Best Timing Jamie Neil and Cannon Runs Committee Member Brian Elrod announced the instructions and the run route.
L-R: Chris Cope – third place, Jason Barrett – second place, Jacob Carrigan – first place in Cannon Runs for Children 5K Race.
Race Results:
Overall winners: Jacob Carrigan (first place), Jason Barrett (second place), Chris Cope (third place)
Female 1 -12: A. Ferrell (first place), F. Smith (second place), N. Manning (third place)
Males 1 – 12: H. Tuck (first place), C. Merriman (second place), C. Alexander (third place)
Female 13 to 18: Ellie Leach (first place), Madelyn Leach (second place), Ava Gfroerer (third place)
Males 13 to 18: Matthew Phillips (first place), Colton Kennamer (second place), Samuel Mason (third place)
Males 19 to 64: Wesley Alexander (first place), Stuart Leach (second place), Jesse Slaughter (third place)
Senior Citizen (65+): Kenneth Bell (first place), James Adkins (second place)
Child Advocacy Center Development Coordinator Katie Enzor thanked the 2023 Cannon Runs for Children 5K committee members who made this a successful event: Retired Judge Susan Melton, Judge Matthew Cowan, Brian Elrod, Christine O’Day, Keith Ready, and Kamille Smith.
The 2024 Cannon Runs for Children 5K Planning Committee is looking for committee members. If you would like to serve on it, contact Amanda Hammond or Katie Enzor at (615) 563-9915 or ahammond@cannoncac.org or kenzor@cacrutherford.org.
A Disaster Recovery Center opened at 7 a.m. Friday, April 21, in Woodbury to accommodate residents who were affected by the storms and tornadoes and want to update their existing FEMA applications or learn about state and community programs and other available assistance.
Under the major disaster declaration, 10 Tennessee counties were designated for FEMA Individual Assistance, meaning residents who had uninsured or underinsured damage or losses from the March 31 to April 1, 2023, storms and tornadoes may apply for FEMA assistance. The designated counties are Cannon, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Rutherford, Tipton and Wayne.
You do not need to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply to FEMA. But do first file a claim with your insurance company or agent before applying for FEMA assistance.
The Cannon County Disaster Recovery Center is located at:
East Side Elementary School
5658 McMinnville Highway
Woodbury, TN 37190
Opened: 7 a.m. Friday, April 21
Regular Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT Monday to Saturday; 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. CDT Sunday
Specialists at Disaster Recovery Centers can clarify information you have received from FEMA or other agencies. They can also discuss other FEMA grants that don’t have to be repaid, including funding if you had to stay in a hotel temporarily or funding for basic home repairs if, as a homeowner, your primary residence was damaged in the storms. Specialists can also submit your requested documents to a FEMA processing center.
As Disaster Recovery Centers open across western Tennessee, you may decide to visit any recovery center to get help. To find one near you, go to: https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator.
Here are the ways to apply for FEMA disaster assistance:
Call the Disaster Assistance Helpline at 800-621-3362.If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply. Helpline operators speak many languages and lines are open from 6 a.m. to midnight Central Daylight Time daily. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language.
