News

Governor Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee announced the state’s holiday events, including Christmas at the Capitol and “A Storybook Christmas” tour of the Tennessee Residence.

“This Christmas is especially meaningful as we reflect on 225 years of Tennessee statehood,” said Gov. Lee. “Maria and I are grateful to gather with Tennesseans as we look toward the season of peace and hope, while celebrating all of our Tennessee traditions.”

The Lees will host the following festivities:

Christmas at the Capitol

The annual Christmas at the Capitol celebration will take place on Monday, November 29 at 5:30 p.m. CT. The event will include a tree lighting ceremony, refreshments and musical performances from the 129^th Army Band jazz ensemble and the Belmont University BSA gospel choir. Christmas at the Capitol is open to the public.

The Christmas tree, a Norway spruce, will be donated by Thomas and Patricia Washer of Murfreesboro.

Tennessee Residence Holiday Tours

Holiday tours at the Tennessee Residence will be available December 10-12 and December 16-19. All tours are self-guided, free to the public and require a reservation. Guests are also invited to bring donations for nonprofits across the state.

Registration information and suggested donation items can be found here.

This coming Saturday, December 4th is the day for the Woodbury Christmas Parade. The parade is a community project of the Woodbury Lions Club.

Area residents are invited to start the day by having Breakfast With Santa. Lions Club members will be serving pancakes at the club house. If tradition holds true, the man in red will make an appearance and be available for photos.

Entries in the parade should assemble at 11am. The parade will begin at Noon. The route for the parade and where you should meet is listed below.

As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s a time to prepare the holiday feast and brush up on home fire safety. Plus, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect communities, planning your celebrations may be a little different this year.

“Home fires are a real threat to the Tennesseans over the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Joel Sullivan, Regional Executive Director for the American Red Cross Tennessee Region. “In particular, cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and year after year Thanksgiving is the peak day for these tragedies. We at the Red Cross are urging families to follow cooking safety steps to help prevent your holiday celebrations from going up in smoke.”

House fires are one of the most common disasters the Red Cross responds to, and many fires start in the kitchen more than any other room. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, unattended cooking causes nearly 90 percent of all kitchen fires. Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries

To help keep you and your loved ones safe this Thanksgiving, the American Red Cross offers these safety tips:

1. Keep an eye on what you fry. Never leave cooking food unattended. If you must leave the kitchen, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
2. Move items that can burn away from the stove. This includes dishtowels, bags, boxes, paper and curtains. Also keep children and pets at least three feet away.
3. Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
4. When frying food, turn the burner off if you see smoke or if the grease starts to boil. Carefully remove the pan from the burner.
5. Keep a pan lid or a cookie sheet nearby. Use it to cover the pan if it catches on fire. This will put out the fire. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
6. Turn pot handles to the back of the stove, so no one bumps them or pulls them over.
7. Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on. Check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving home to ensure all stoves, ovens and small appliances are turned off.
8. Celebrating with the people you live with is the safest choice. If you do celebrate with people who don’t live with you, gatherings and activities held outdoors are safer than indoor gatherings.
9. Do not attend or host a holiday gathering if you are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19.
10. If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow CDC’s Domestic Travel or International Travel recommendations for unvaccinated people. Everyone, even people who are fully vaccinated, will still be required to wear a mask on public transportation.

You can also help keep your family safe by testing your smoke alarms monthly and practicing your home fire escape plan until everyone can get out in less than two minutes — the amount of time you may have to get out of a burning home before it’s too late.

Visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including an escape plan to practice with your family. You can also download our free Emergency app and free Red Cross First Aid app for instant access on how to control bleeding, help someone who is choking and other scenarios. Search “American Red Cross” in app stores.

Today, Commissioner Jeff Long of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDSOHS) and Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Colonel Matt Perry joined multiple law enforcement partners to announce the “Tennessee Safe Travel Challenge” traffic safety initiative.   

The Tennessee Safe Travel Challenge is planned for Wednesday, November 24, and Sunday, November 28. The challenge consists of increased patrols from the THP and our law enforcement partners across the state. Law enforcement will focus their attention along the I-40 corridor. I-40 spans the length of Tennessee, encompassing 455 miles, and runs 2,555 miles through eight states, including North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.  The THP will continue statewide enforcement on all Tennessee roadways during the holiday season. 

“Our mission is to prevent traffic deaths, one loss of life is never acceptable,” said Colonel Matt Perry. “Motorists can expect to see an increased presence of troopers during some of the busiest travel days of the Thanksgiving holiday. It is important that we all follow the rules of the road. We can prevent traffic-related injuries and deaths by driving the speed limit, buckling our seat belts, never driving distracted, and never driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.” 

In 2020, there were 26 crashes on the Wednesday before, and 30 crashes on the Sunday after the Thanksgiving holiday on I-40.  One of the crashes was alcohol-related.  THP issued 2,209 speeding and 498 seat belt citations and arrested 111 individuals for impaired driving.   

Over the 108-hour holiday period, there were six fatal crashes, three of the fatalities were alcohol-related, and three people killed were not wearing seat belts. Please see the attached THP 2020 Thanksgiving Final Holiday Report.  

“Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on everything we have been blessed with,” said Commissioner Jeff Long.  “The Tennessee Highway Patrol will do everything in their power to ensure there’s not an empty seat at your family’s dinner table. We want our citizens and visitors to get to and from their destinations safely.”  

During your travels across Tennessee, please dial *847 (*THP) if you require highway assistance.  This will connect you to a THP dispatcher.  

The THP’s checkpoint schedule during the 2021 Thanksgiving holiday may be viewed by visiting our website.  The 2020 statistical report is also attached. https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/safety/documents/thp-checkpoints/NOVEMBER2021_CHECKPOINTS.pdf 

Woodland Elementary School located at 8383 Jim Cummings Highway, Bradyville will be CLOSED on Friday, November 19^th, 2021 due to a sewer problem that must be repaired.  Student instruction will take place via packets in PreK – 3^rd Grade and via Google Classroom for 4^th Grade – 8^th Grade.  School Buses in the Woodland Community will run on-time in the morning and afternoon for Cannon County High School students.

Cannon County Director of Schools – William Freddy Curtis stated, “Due to a major sewer problem, we are having to close Woodland Elementary School on Friday, November 19^th, 2021 only.  Repairs to two sewer pumps must be made and the tank must be emptied and no water flowing into them for several hours.  The repairs will be completed on Friday, November 19^th, 2021 and normal school operations for Woodland Elementary School will resume on Monday, November 22^nd, 2021.  I apologize for the inconvenience to parents and guardians for the short notice, but these repairs must be made in the quickest and most efficient manner for our students and staff of Woodland Elementary School.  We appreciate everyone’s understanding regarding this situation.”

“It is not even Thanksgiving yet and we are already thinking about Christmas at the Cannon County Child Advocacy Center,” said director Sharon De Boer. “The holidays are a magical time of year for children and families.  Sadly, for many of the families served by the Child Advocacy Center, the joy of the season is overshadowed by the emotional and financial toll of child abuse.  Every year parents and grandparents call us in tears because they don’t know how they will provide gifts and food for their children who still believe in Santa.” 

Here’s where you come in!   

If your family, business, church, or civic organization is looking for a way to help others this holiday season, please consider becoming a Secret Santa to a needy family.  It will warm your heart and enrich your holidays in ways you cannot imagine. 

3 Ways to Get Involved this Holiday Season: 

• Become a Secret Santa to a needy family. The CAC will provide you with the family’s wish list and you shop for Christmas gifts and provide gift cards for food. 
• Become a Secret Santa to a needy family by providing gift cards for the family to purchase Christmas gifts and food.  This is a great option if you don’t have time to shop.   
• Become a Secret Santa to the CAC this holiday season by making a special offering, in-kind donation, or financial contribution. 

It is a simple process to get involved.  Just click the Secret Santa link to get started:  https://cacrutherford.org/secret-santa 

Here’s Where You Send Your Secret Santa Form! 

Mail:  214 West Water Street, Woodbury, TN 37190 

Fax: (615) 563-9916 

Email:  ahammond@cannoncac.orgor 

Call: (615) 563-9915 

The Child Advocacy Center is a 501c3 non-profit agency and your contribution is tax deductible.   

A local attorney used social media to make his candidacy announcement in next year’s judicial race.  Matthew Cowan will be seeking the office of General Sessions Judge.

The announcement stated:

After much prayer and with the support of my wife and family, I am thrilled to announce my candidacy for General Sessions Judge of Cannon County.

My wife and I are blessed to live in Cannon County, and I have been honored to serve my entire legal career as a full-time practicing attorney in Woodbury. Now, after a great deal of thought and prayer, I have decided to stand for election in the hopes of serving my community as General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge.

I love Cannon County, from its children to our senior citizens, and to this end I have been been honored to serve our citizens as a co-founding board member and current Chairman of the Board of Directors for Cannon County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). I have also been honored to serve our senior citizens on the board of directors for the Cannon County Senior Center.

My legal career, thus far, has taken me to courts across the state from Memphis to East Tennessee. My primary practice, though, has been in Cannon County. During this time, I have served previously as City Attorney for the Town of Woodbury, and also as Counsel to the Cannon County Industrial Development Board. I am the current delinquent tax attorney for Cannon County and the Town of Woodbury and serve our state conference of property tax professionals (TAPTP) as First-Vice President.

My roots run deep in Cannon County through the Tenpenny family. I live here, work here everyday, and worship here with my family.

I would like to thank the following friends and family for their early support: James L. Adkins, Linda Armstrong, Dr. Melanie Banks, Brent and Amy Brandon, Brian and Danielle Brandon, Mitzi Brandon, Wallace and Martha Burke, Terry and Chassity Burks, Kelly and Jessica Curtis, Noah and Willa DeBerry, John and Britany Dodd, Brittany and Jacob Duggin, Karl and Cindy England, Ricky and Bonnie Estes, Micheal and Beth George, Terry and Thresia Horn, Richie and Glenda Hunter, Deborah Leach, Nathan and Holly Luna, Eva Mathis, Lee Wayne and Missy Nichols, Shane and Pat Nichols, Barbara and Grady Parker, Lt. Col. Michael Parks (Ret.) and Deborah Parks, Anna Pittman, Cole and Kelsie Reed, Francis R. Rich, Bill and Cheryl Sharp, Ed and Judy Sissom, Betty R. Smithson, Col. James E. Stone, Sr. (Ret.), Michael and Cindy Underhill, and Dr. Trea Wessel and Jason Barrett.

Thank you, and may God continue to bless our great county.

Matthew D. Cowan, Attorney at Law and Candidate for General Sessions Judge

Throughout November, the Tennessee Department of Health is recognizing National Diabetes Awareness Month. This year the campaign looks to educate individuals on ways to reverse pre-diabetes and prevent or delay the onset of diabetes through healthy lifestyle changes.

Pre-diabetes is a health condition where a person’s blood sugar levels are elevated, increasing their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes (T2D). In 2020 14.1 percent of adults in Tennessee had been told by a doctor that they have diabetes, while in 2019, 9.9 percent of adults report being told they had pre-diabetes. Since many people with pre-diabetes are unaware of their diagnosis, the percentage of Tennesseans with pre-diabetes is likely much higher. For individuals at risk, making lifestyle changes can help reverse or prevent pre-diabetes and T2D.

“Pre-diabetes or diabetes is often an undetected disease that impacts Tennesseans every year,” said Tennessee Department of Health Deputy Commissioner for Population Health Morgan McDonald, MD, FAAP, FACP. “This month, we encourage Tennesseans to take the time to determine their risk factors for diabetes. Diabetes is a disease that can be controlled, and we know that when it is not, individuals are at risk for complications from diabetes but also at higher risk for serious illness from other viruses and diseases.”

To find out if you are at risk for pre-diabetes, you can take a simple risk test to determine if you should take action. Visit https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/takethetest/ to take a one-minute Prediabetes Risk Test.

TDH provides resources and information for diabetes programming, including Diabetes Prevention Program, Chronic Disease Self-Management, and Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES). To learn more about these programs and to find an option in your community, visit CDC Recognized Lifestyle Change Program for providers near you.

For the first time in 43 years, the Cannon County Lions Football team advances in the state prep playoffs. At the end of the night, a field goal made the difference between two well matched programs. The Cannon County Lions won over the Tigers of Signal Mountain by a score of 10-7.

Both teams scored in the first quarter of play and remained tied until the final moments of the fourth quarter.

Cannon County will now advance to the second round with a road game at Loudon High School in East Tennessee. The contest with the Redskins will have a 6pm local kickoff. Loudon is now 10 and 1, Cannon County is now 6 and 4.

In other area action Friday night, DeKalb County won over East Hamilton, 35-21.

The Tennessee Department of Health shared that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 years. While young children often have milder illness than adults, outbreaks in this age group are common, can disrupt home and family life, and can lead to spread in the general community, including those at high risk of severe disease.

“The approval of the COVID-19 vaccine for pediatric patients further bolsters our efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19 and continue to put an end to this pandemic,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD,

It is anticipated this vaccine will be widely available across the state in the coming days as vaccine distribution ramps up throughout the country. Many local health departments in Tennessee will be able to vaccinate children ages 5-11 years beginning Thursday, November 4. Parents seeking the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for their child should visit vaccines.gov for availability. When making an appointment, parents of individuals under the age of 18 should select a Pfizer vaccine appointment time. Parents can also call their local health department to check availability and schedule an appointment.

Individuals may also schedule an appointment with a local vaccine provider, including pharmacies, medical clinics, and other sites, by visiting vaccines.gov. For more information regarding vaccine recommendations for children and guidelines from the CDC, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/children-teens.html. 

The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. Learn more about TDH services and programs at www.tn.gov/health.