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The Big Payback is an annual 24-hour, online giving celebration raising money and awareness for more than 1,000 area nonprofits, schools and faith-based organizations.

Together, since 2014, Middle Tennesseans have cumulatively raised more than $25 million, with a total of 180,583 donations from around the globe benefiting area organizations.

Organizations in Cannon County participating in the Big Payback include:

Arts Center of Cannon County

Cannon County Community for Animals

Cannon County Rescue Squad

Cannon County Senior Center

Cannon County Substance Abuse Coalition

CASA of Cannon County

Spay It Forward of Cannon County

The Big Payback goes online at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4 through 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 5. You can learn more at the website of Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee marked the close of the 2022 legislative session, which includes the passage of his $52.8 billion budget and full agenda as outlined during his State of the State address in February.

“Tennessee is America at Its Best, and we’ve made strategic investments to cut taxes, strengthen infrastructure and invest in education at every level to prepare our state for future growth,” said Gov. Lee. “I thank Leader Johnson and Leader Lamberth for carrying key legislation, and commend the General Assembly for passing measures that will benefit Tennesseans and continue our state’s reputation for conservative fiscal management.”

Lee’s agenda included the most substantive reform to education funding in more than 30 years, the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA). The student-centered plan dedicates an historic $1 billion in additional recurring funding to improve public education for every child in Tennessee, including a modernized approach that funds each student based on their individual needs.

The slate of budget and legislative priorities also included significant investments in higher education, proven crime prevention and improving transportation infrastructure. Notably, Lee led a 30-day grocery tax suspension proposal that will provide direct financial relief to Tennesseans this August amid surging inflation nationwide.

Highlights from Gov. Lee’s agenda include the following:

K-12 Education

• $1 billion investment in new, annual recurring education funding
• Through the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA), replaced the 30-year-old BEP funding formula with a student-centered approach to public education
• $500 million to make CTE improvements in all middle and high schools
• Ensures parents know what materials are available to students in their libraries
• Makes computer science and coding available to every high school student in Tennessee
• $124.7 million to provide a well-deserved increase into the teacher salary pool
• $16 million recurring and $16 million nonrecurring to the Charter Schools Facility Fund to support the operation of high-quality charter schools

Higher Education

• $88.6 million in dedicated lottery funds to increase the 4-year HOPE Award to $4,500—5,700 per student, per year, and the 2-year HOPE Award to $3,200 per student, per year
• $90 million to fully fund the higher education outcomes-based formula
• $200 million for TCAT infrastructure investments to help double the skilled workforce by 2026
• $6 million to establish the Institute of American Civics at the University of Tennessee

Safe and Secure Tennessee

• Adds 100 Highway Patrol Troopers 100% funded by the state
• Creation of a Multi-Agency Law Enforcement Training Academy
• Creation of a $100 million Violent Crime Intervention Fund for law enforcement agencies across the state to invest in evidence-based programming and resources
• Expansion of state funding for law enforcement basic training and increasing the frequency of training for new recruits
• Directs the Department of Safety and Homeland Security to create a plan so every house of worship in Tennessee can receive high-quality safety training
• Strengthens laws around human trafficking

Supporting Tennessee Families

• Expanding funding for relative caregiver placements for children in foster care
• Establishing a childcare support program for all foster families, regardless of their DHS eligibility
• Expanding TennCare’s Health Starts Initiative to support maternal health and holistic care for mothers and children

Modernizing Tennessee Infrastructure

• Additional $100 million for the IMPROVE Act to ensure progress on key projects
• $519 million toward road infrastructure projects to support economic development projects, as well as mobility in our fastest-growing counties.

Good Government

• Rainy-Day Fund increased to $1.8 billion, up from $1.55 billion
• 30-day suspension of state and local grocery sales tax to provide direct financial relief to Tennesseans
• Cuts CDL licensing red tape to ease supply chain and transportation challenges

Rural Tennessee

• $83 million to reimburse public hospitals for uncompensated care, primarily in rural communities
• $55 million to increase access to home and community-based services via the Medicaid Pathways to Independence program

Healthy Tennessee

• $25.5 million to provide adult dental benefits for 610,000 Tennesseans eligible for TennCare
• $11.8 million toward a multiyear commitment to recruit and retain dental providers, as well as provide much-needed dental care for prosthodontic services
• $10 million toward the goal of attracting over 150 new primary care residents
• $7 million for substance abuse clinical treatment and addiction recovery programs

Beautiful Tennessee

• $40 million to invest in environmental cleanup, including National Priority List sites
• $28 million to eliminate the deferred maintenance backlog at State Parks
• $25 million for West TN River Basin projects

Asset Management

• $2.541 billion for higher education and general government capital improvements over the next several years
• $214.8 million for capital maintenance, ensuring deferred maintenance is addressed within current capital assets

Today, the Tennessee Department of Education released a statement on the passage of the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) Act (SB2396/HB2143) by the Tennessee General Assembly: 

“Tennessee students deserve every opportunity to grow, learn and achieve. Our elected officials have made clear their commitment to the success of our children and the success of our state by approving the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement, bringing $1 billion in new, recurring dollars for Tennessee’s students, the largest recurring investment for public education in our state’s history. 
 
“We thank Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly for recognizing the time is now to invest in all students, and as a department, we are dedicated to accelerating student achievement for the benefit of all students and our state. For kids in our state, this means a lot.” 

To learn more about student-based funding and the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) Act, visit the department’s website.  

Spring cleaning season is here, and people across Tennessee are preparing to clean out their medicine cabinets and safely and securely dispose of medications that are expired or no longer needed during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.  Take Back Day is this Saturday, April 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

During the October 2021 Take Back Day, Tennesseans safely and securely disposed of nearly 17,000 pounds of medications at 112 sites across the state.  In the decade that the Drug Enforcement Agency has organized Take Back Day, Tennesseans have safely and securely disposed of more than 330,000 pounds of medications.

In Cannon County the drop off location is Woodbury Drug Center, 604 West Main Street. The hours will match the national campaign of 10:00am to 2:00pm.

Find a Take Back Day event or permanent prescription drop box at this link

The bi-annual medication collection event comes as authorities from the DEA to the TBI are warning of the danger of counterfeit prescription pills that are laced with fentanyl.  The DEA estimates that four out of every 10 counterfeit pills bought on the street or over the internet or social media apps contain a lethal dose of fentanyl.

That’s having deadly consequences across the country, but the effects are most strongly felt among young adults and teens.  Overdose deaths among American teens nearly doubled from 2019 to 2020, and researchers estimate the 2021 numbers will show another 20% increase in overdose deaths.  Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show fentanyl overdose deaths among teens increased by nearly 170% in just one year.

Safely disposing of unwanted pharmaceuticals at drop-off locations across the state helps ensure medicines are not misused or accidentally taken by someone they were unintended for.

“We have an incredible opportunity to prevent drug misuse by removing prescription medications from our homes, but we also have a real chance to save lives by talking to our young people about the dangers of prescription drug misuse.  Pills purchased through a social media app or passed around at a party could have life-changing consequences, and parents can influence their child’s decisions just by having a conversation,” said Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Marie Williams, LCSW.

“Take back events provide an opportunity to educate individuals and families on the unintended consequences of not properly disposing of unused prescription drugs,” said Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP.  “While we continue to see an increase in illicit drugs in our communities, we must remain diligent in preventing prescription drug misuse.  While one pill can kill, one pill can also be the beginning of misuse, abuse, and addiction.”

“We want everyone to realize that disposing of prescription drugs by flushing them down the toilet can affect our drinking water,“ David Salyers, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, said.  “This program is an important and responsible way to address the problem, and we appreciate the partnership with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in this effort.”

In addition to collecting prescription medications, Tennessee’s Substance Abuse Prevention Coalitions are holding informational events to share information about overdose reversal, strategies for parents, and details on connecting to addiction treatment.  You can connect with the coalition that serves your area at this link.

“You only have four days left to bid on the items in the Hometown Heroes Silent Auction,” announced Child Advocacy Center Development Coordinator Katie Enzor.  “The drop-dead deadline is Friday, April 29 at 12:00 noon!” 

The silent auction is hosted on the Child Advocacy Center’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CACRutherford.  All proceeds from the Silent Auction and the Walk will help the Child Advocacy Center provide critically needed services for child abuse victims.  You do not have to participate in the walk to bid on the incredible silent auction items.   

“All donations in Cannon County support the Cannon County Child Advocacy Center and all donations in Rutherford County support the Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford County,” stated Cannon County Coordinator Amanda Hammond. 

Highlights of the silent auction include the Mural of Tennessee guitar designed by Jennifer Owens and donated by Fat Guy’s BBQ, Murfreesboro Ladies Sewing Group handmade pinwheel quilt, Staybridge Suites Night Away from the Kids, Chop House gift card with 2 bottles of wine, Cannon Power Shot camera, Texas Roadhouse dinner for two Basket with rib seasoning and steak sauce, Fred’s Flooring area rug with carpet cleaners, and Friendship Quilters Guild of Smyrna handmade quilt.   

During Child Abuse Prevention Month every April, the Child Protective Investigative Team hosts the Hometown Heroes Walk for Children to encourage local support for child abuse and child sexual abuse victims.   

For 22 years, the Child Advocacy Center has worked closely with the Department of Children’s Services, law enforcement, and the District Attorney’s Office to investigate and prosecute over 17,000 child abuse cases, assist over 27,000 individuals, and train over 13,000 people how to protect children.  

The Board of Parole (BOP), Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC), Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and Tennessee Rehabilitative Initiative in Correction (TRICOR) are hosting local events next week to honor crime victims during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), April 24-30. At each event, they’re also recognizing victim advocates for their work.  

The sponsoring agencies will host events in Nashville, Chattanooga and Memphis next week:

• Monday, April 25 – Tree planting ceremony in Nashville at 10 a.m. CDT at Tennessee State Library and Archives (1001 Rep. John Lewis Way North).
• Wednesday, April 27- Dove release in Chattanooga at 11 a.m. EDT at Chest Frost Park (2277 Gold Point North, Hixson, TN 37343).
• Friday, April 29 – Lantern release in Memphis at 2 p.m. CDT at Shelby County Office of Re-Entry (1362 Mississippi Blvd., Memphis, TN 38106).

“We look forward to hosting these events in person again to help raise awareness of local resources available to victims and renew our commitment to serve victims of crime,” said Parole Board Chairman Richard Montgomery.

TDOC Interim Commissioner added Lisa Helton, “The Tennessee Department of Correction is committed to ensuring a safer Tennessee for all families. Through recognized principles and evidence-based practices, our focus remains on reducing the risk of repeat criminal behavior, recidivism, and future victimization.”

The theme of this year’s NCVRW — Rights, access, equity, for all victims— underscores the importance of helping crime survivors find their justice by enforcing, victims’ rights, expanding access to services and ensuring equity and inclusion for all.

Learn more about National Crime Victims’ Rights Week at National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 24–30, 2022 (ojp.gov).

The state veterinarian confirms that a horse in Smith County has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). The 22-year-old horse has been euthanized.

Mosquitoes transmit WNV and although humans can contract the virus, horses do not transmit the disease to humans or horses. Symptoms in horses may include fever, weakness, loss of appetite, or convulsions. There is no cure for WNV, and the illness can cause lasting effects and can be fatal.

“There are actions horse owners can take to prevent WNV,” State Veterinarian Dr. Samantha Beaty said. “Good preventative care includes control of mosquitoes and vaccination against WNV. Work with your veterinarian on a vaccination plan for your animals and manage the environment around your animals to deter mosquitos.”

Tips to prevent viruses include:

• Eliminate standing water sources and damp areas where insects could gather and breed.
• Manage manure and disposal.
• Keep barns clean and apply fly sprays and insect repellants as needed.
• Never share needles, dental, or surgical equipment among different animals.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Division is responsible for promoting animal health in Tennessee. The state veterinarian’s office seeks to prevent the spread of disease through import and movement requirements, livestock traceability, disaster mitigation, and the services of the C.E. Kord Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory. The division collaborates with other health-related stakeholders, academic institutions, and extension services to support One Health, an initiative to improve health for people and animals.