News

As part of the SR-56 improvement project from south of the Warren-Dekalb County line to East Bryant Street, Tennessee Department of Transportation contract crews will begin shifting traffic to portions of new alignment at two different locations.

Starting Thursday, November 17, 2022, traffic will be shifted onto the newly constructed alignment of SR-56 from south of Webb Lane to north of SR-288. This new section of SR-56 is adjacent to the existing section of SR-56. Drivers using Magness Road, Webb Lane, SR-288, and Blue Springs Road shouldpay special attention to their new and modified intersections with the new alignment.

Starting Monday, November 21, 2022, traffic will be shifted onto the newly constructed alignment of SR-56 from south of Douglas Road to north of College Street. Drivers using Douglas Road, County House Road, South Tittsworth, and College Street should pay special attention to their new and modified intersections with the new alignment.

Drivers using the existing SR-56 between Douglas Road (the County Waste and Recycle Center) and College Street will access the new alignment from the newly constructed Jacobs Pillar Road and South Tittsworth Road.

Tennessee Highway Patrol will be on-site, and several message boards will be posted through the project limits during this work directing drivers through the two shifts.

From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest construction activity and live-streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone for travel information, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel or Chattanooga area alerts @Chattanooga511 or any of TDOT’s other Twitter pages.

As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for their destination. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

Members of the Woodbury Lions Club give of their personal time to provide for a better community. One of the numerous projects is their Coats for Cannon. The annual sharing event is designed to assist persons who need a coat for the cold months each year.

These are the results in key races on the ballot for Cannon Countians.

Governor            Bill Lee – 3,081 Jason Martin – 668

Constitutional Amendments

1  (Right to Work) Yes – 2,541 No – 1,042

2  (Chain of succession for Governor) Yes – 2,226 No – 1,076

3  (End Slavery) Yes – 2,259 No – 1,186

4  (Ministers and Priests have ability to serve in General Assembly) Yes – 2,100 No – 1,271

US House of Representatives 6^th District John Rose – 2,984 Randal Cooper – 654

Tennessee House of Representatives 40^th District Michael Hale – 3,055 Tom Cook – 624

Lee won the state for a second term. Rose won the district for another term. Hale carried the district for his first term as a state representative.

Secretary of State’s Tre Hargett wants Tennessee voters to have the information they need before heading to the polls for the Nov. 8 State and Federal General election. Tennesseans can access voter-specific Election Day information, including polling times, locations, sample ballots, election results and more, on GoVoteTN.gov or the Secretary of State’s free GoVoteTN app. The GoVoteTN app is free in the App Store or Google Play. On Election Day, polls in all 95 counties open at various times. A list of when polling locations open is available on GoVoteTN.gov. All polls close at 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. CST. Casting your ballot in the midmorning or midafternoon may shorten your time. Early morning, noon and after 5 p.m. are peak times as people typically vote before work, after work or on their lunch breaks. If there is a line to vote, frail, physically disabled or visibly pregnant voters can request to move through the process faster. To cast a ballot, voters need to bring valid photo identification. A driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Tennessee state government or the federal government is acceptable even if it’s expired. A student ID or out-of-state driver’s license is not acceptable. For more information about what types of IDs are permitted, visit GoVoteTN.gov or call 1-877-850-4959. State law requires polling locations and areas within a 100-foot boundary of the entrance to remain campaign-free zones. The display or distribution of campaign materials and the solicitation of votes for or against any person, party or question on the ballot within this area are prohibited. Voters wearing campaign-related clothing or paraphernalia will not be allowed within the 100-foot boundary. Tennessee voters are encouraged to report possible voter fraud or misinformation to the Secretary of State’s Division of Elections. Tennesseans can text ‘TN’ to 45995 to use the new Text to Report Voter Fraud system or call the Official Election Day Hotline toll-free at 1-877-850-4959. The Secretary of State’s office will post minute-by-minute unofficial results on their Twitter accounts @tngovelection,@tnushouse, @tnsenategen, @tnhousegen and @tnconstamend. The Secretary of State’s office will also post unofficial election results on their website, elections.tn.gov.   A comprehensive report of early and absentee by-mail voter turnout by county with comparisons to 2018 and 2014 from the 14-day early voting period, which ran from Wednesday, Oct. 19, to Thursday, Nov. 3, is available on GoVoteTN.gov. For the latest information about Tennessee elections, follow the Secretary of State’s social media Twitter: @SecTreHargett, Facebook: Tennessee Secretary of State and Instagram: @tnsecofstate. For more information about the November 8 election, visit GoVoteTN.gov or call the Division of Elections toll-free at 1-877-850-4959.

 The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT) Nobody Trashes Tennessee announces its second No Trash November, a month-long statewide initiative encouraging Tennesseans to participate in cleanup events in their communities. Last year’s inaugural campaign included over 1,000 volunteers who collected over 47,000 pounds of litter from the state’s roadways.

“We want to ensure our roadways are safe from the negative effects of litter, especially with the upcoming holidays and increased travel,” said TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. “Whether intentional or unintentional, litter on our public roads impacts safety, the environment, and the economy, while also detracting from the state’s natural beauty.”

In partnership with Keep Tennessee Beautiful (KTnB) and TDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway groups, residents are invited to join the public events being held across the state.

“We are grateful for our many partners across the state that are once again coming together in November to help us in our mission to prevent and reduce litter,” said Denise Baker, TDOT Beautification Office. “By working together, we can make an even larger impact as we strive to prevent and reduce roadside litter in Tennessee.”

Besides KTnB affiliates across the state, existing Adopt-A-Highway groups are also invited to participate in No Trash November by conducting one of their four litter cleanups on their designated two miles of roadway during the month. Individuals, groups, and organizations interested in the free program may visit the Adopt-A-Highway map to view routes in their community.

To find a local cleanup event and to register your group to participate in No Trash November, visit nobodytrashestennessee.com. Campaign tools and resources including a cleanup location map and a trash tracker measuring pounds collected are also available online.

All residents are encouraged to show their support for a litter-free Tennessee by using the #NobodyTrashesTennessee and #NoTrashNovember hashtags on social media and to highlight their litter prevention actions throughout the month on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

For additional ways to participate in No Trash November, visit: 5 Ways to Participate in No Trash November.

Cannon County Schools will be closed on Friday, November 4th, 2022 due to Illness.  Students will return to Class on Monday, November 7th, 2022.  These closures are due to illness, specifically flu and “flu-like symptoms” at multiple schools in Cannon County with students and staff in all Cannon County Schools.

Director of Cannon County Schools, Mr. William Freddy Curtis stated, “There continues to be an up-tick in the number of cases of flu and ‘flu-like symptoms’ with students and staff at ALL our Cannon County Schools this week.  We have been informed by local Health Providers and the Tennessee Department of Health regarding this situation. Cannon County High School has been greatly impacted by illness this week.

Curtis continued, “Principals are continuing to have their custodians deep clean our schools during this time off.  This additional day will allow time for possible exposures and cases to diminish in Cannon County. November 4^th, 2022 will be Inclement Weather Day Number 1 for Cannon County Schools for the 2022-2023 School Year. We will also have 2 Virtual Days that could possibly be utilized in the Spring Semester that are allowed under legislation passed last year. Students will return to school on Monday, November 7^th, 2022. Middle School Basketball Games on Friday, November 3^rd, 2022, and the CCHS Football Playoff Game at Loudon County will be played. Athletic practices will be allowed to proceed with precautions and illness protocols in place. We appreciate all our parents/guardians and our entire community with their understanding during this time of increased illness.”

The Tennessee Department of Health is encouraging all Tennesseans over the age of 6 months to receive this year’s flu vaccine. Vaccinations for flu will be free on Wed., Nov. 9, 2022, at all local health departments in the state for Fight Flu ’22.

‘’Getting a flu shot is the most important thing we can all do to help prevent the flu and keep ourselves, loved ones and everyone around us healthy,’’ said TDH Commissioner Morgan McDonald, MD FACP FAAP. ‘’We know flu vaccines are safe, effective, and protect against the most common types of flu circulating, so I urge everyone eligible to receive a flu shot to do so.’’

No appointments are needed to receive a free flu vaccine during Fight Flu ‘22. Find the site closest to you and the hours of operation at www.tn.gov/health/fightflu  and select the Find a Flu Shot Near You icon. The flu vaccine will continue to be free at Tennessee’s county health departments after the Fight Flu ’22 kick-off event on Nov. 9.

The flu virus is highly contagious and pregnant women, infants, the elderly, and people with certain medical conditions are at the highest risk of severe complications from the flu. The CDC estimates up to 7.5 million illnesses, 400,000 hospitalizations, and 22,000 deaths could be prevented every year if more people chose to get the flu vaccine.

To prevent the spread of the flu virus to others, follow precautions such as proper hygiene and handwashing, cover your coughs or sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, and stay at home if you are sick.

Fight Flu ‘22 also serves as a statewide preparedness and response exercise where TDH’s local public health teams practice their emergency plans to vaccinate communities during a pandemic. This is the fifth consecutive year for the Fight Flu TN event as TDH works to protect as many Tennesseans as possible against influenza.

Cannon County Schools will be closed on Wednesday, November 2nd, 2022 and Thursday, November 3rd, 2022 due to illness.  Students return to Class on Friday, November 4th, 2022.  These closures are due to illness, specifically flu and flu-like symptoms at multiple schools in Cannon County with students and staff in all Cannon County Schools.

Director of Cannon County Schools, William Freddy Curtis stated, “There has been a recent up-tick in the number of cases of flu and ‘flu-like symptoms’ with students and staff at ALL our Cannon County Schools this past week.  We also have had some bus drivers out because of illness.  Cannon County High School has been greatly impacted by illness this week. The following Statistics indicate: 

Students

Total Absent Due to Illness   = 280 Students or 15.7%

Cannon County High School = 114 Students or 21.2%

Staff – Total Staff Full and Part-Time

Total Staff Cases/Contacts = 21 or 8.4%

Cannon County High School = 7 or 16.6%

Bus Drivers –

 3 Drivers = 13.0%”

Curtis continued, “We are instructing Principals to have their custodians deep clean our schools during this time off and hopefully will allow time for these possible exposures and cases to diminish. We have 2 Virtual Days per Semester that are allowed under legislation passed last year. Students will return to school on Friday, November 4^th, 2022.  Student Packets will be issued and Instruction will be posted in Google Classroom.  Teachers will be allowed to work from home to monitor instruction. Middle and Elementary Basketball Games on Thursday, November 2^nd, 2022 are cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date. Athletic practices will be allowed to proceed with precautions and illness protocols in place. We appreciate all our parents/guardians and our entire community with their understanding during this time of increased illness.”

Governor Bill Lee has launched the new School Safety Toolkit for Tennessee Families, a practical resource to help parents prepare and engage in their child’s school safety plan.

This follows Executive Order 97, which directed state agencies to equip and engage parents, increase transparency and collaborate with local law enforcement and school districts.

“As we continue our work to protect Tennessee children, the new School Safety Toolkit will provide parents with helpful resources and greater transparency to feel confident their child is safe at school,” said Gov. Lee. “I encourage every Tennessee family to prepare and engage in school safety by utilizing this Toolkit and downloading the SafeTN app.” 

The toolkit, a joint effort of the Tennessee Departments of Education, Safety & Homeland Security and Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, includes helpful quick tips for Tennessee parents, including:

How to Prepare Your Family

• Use the SafeTN app to report suspicious or concerning activity at your child’s school.
• Familiarize yourself with school leadership and opportunities to be present at school functions.
• Keep an eye out for warning signs and learn how to address student concerns, such as bullying.
• Know how to access mental health resources in your community.

How to Engage with Your Child’s School

• Ask your child’s school about their emergency plans and other helpful questions in this toolkit.
• Look for opportunities to partner with and volunteer at your child’s school.
• Reach out if you need support – there are countless organizations ready to help and shared in this guide.
• Keep these resources handy and share them with other families in your community. 

The Lee administration has taken additional actions to enhance school safety across Tennessee, delivering on commitments made in Executive Order 97: 

Equipping Parents

• Engaged more than 11,000 Tennesseans through the SafeTN app, a free resource to quickly and confidentially report safety concerns at a child’s school
• Expanded School-Based Behavioral Health Liaisons to cover all 95 counties
• Made mobile crisis providers available to families across the state that can be reached by dialing ‘988’

Securing Schools

• Provided every school district with an updated School Safety Plan Template
• Ensured every Tennessee school has completed a physical school security assessment
• Supported school districts with school safety training resources
• Prioritized frequent, unannounced checks to see that school doors latch and precautions are in place

Partnering with Law Enforcement

• Ensured state and local law enforcement have collaborated to provide proven, hands-on active shooter training courses in each Grand Division
• Equipped more than 600 School Resource Officers with updated training
• Directed Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers to build stronger relationships with local school leadership

During early voting and on Election Day, Tennessee voters can utilize the Secretary of State’s convenient and secure toll-free Official Election Hotline and Text to Report Voter Fraud system. “In Tennessee, our Division of Elections and your local county election commission are the sources voters can trust for accurate, up-to-date election information,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “If you have questions or concerns about your voting experience during early voting or on Election Day, please reach out to my office or your local election commission.” Tennessee voters can get answers to early voting and Election Day questions or report voting issues by calling the Division of Elections’ toll-free Official Election Hotline at 1-877-850-4959. Tennesseans can find contact information for their local county election commission at tnsos.org/elections/election_commissions.php. Tennesseans can also access accurate, voter-specific early voting and Election Day information, including their polling location, dates, hours, sample ballots and more, on the Secretary of State’s GoVoteTN.gov website and free GoVoteTN app. “Helping Tennesseans cast their ballot and protecting the integrity of our elections are our highest priorities,” said Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins. “When you contact our office or your election commission, you can be confident that you are getting correct information or that your concerns are getting to the right place.” With the Secretary of State’s new Text to Report Voter Fraud system, Tennesseans have a safe and convenient way to alert the Division of Elections about possible voter fraud. Voters can also use the system to report voting issues or to let the Division of Elections know about their voting experience. To use the Text to Report Voter Fraud system, text ‘TN’ to 45995. Users will receive a secure link where they can submit their concerns directly to the Division of Elections. The Division of Elections then works with county election commissions, district attorneys and other parties to take appropriate action. For the latest information about early voting and the Nov. 8 election, follow the Secretary of State on social media, Twitter: @SecTreHargett, Facebook: Tennessee Secretary of State and Instagram: @tnsecofstate. Early voting for the Nov. 8 State and Federal General election continues until Thursday, Nov. 3. The deadline to request an absentee by-mail ballot is Tuesday, Nov. 1. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov.