News

U.S.Representative John Rose (TN-6) virtually attended the 2021 Ag Industry Partner Meeting in Lebanon with agricultural leaders from across the state. This yearly event is hosted by the Tennessee Farm Bureau and is the largest gathering of Tennessee Agriculture leaders in one location.

“It was a privilege to participate in this important discussion surrounding both Tennessee and American agriculture. As a farmer myself, I understand the issues that many in the agriculture industry face, but it is critical to hear the challenges directly affecting our farming communities as their insight is vital to my work in Washington. Our entire country has a stake in the success of the agriculture community, and I will continue to push for our Tennessee farmers to get the resources they need,” said Representative Rose.

“We find it critically important to gather leaders from across the various parts of the agriculture and forestry sector in order to discuss and identify common priorities so we can collectively move forward with a united voice,” said Tennessee Farm Bureau President Jeff Aiken. “We thank Congressman Rose for playing a key role in the event by sharing an update on national issues affecting our most important industry, and appreciate his commitment to rural Tennessee.” 

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) is partnering with Everblue, an accredited training and certification company, to transition the state’s pesticide certification and licensing exams to an online test management system.

“Pesticide applicators will find the new online system to be user-friendly and efficient,” Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. said. “TDA teamed up with Everblue because the certification and licensing portals are secure, offer customer service, and deliver immediate results to the pesticides applicator. We’re pleased to accommodate applicators who want a convenient method to obtain certifications and licensing.”

Shifting to an online portal is another way TDA has shifted delivery of services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The move from in-person exams to online exams provides a safer option amid the pandemic. In addition to safety, convenience and support stand out. The online service allows applicators to schedule their exam when it’s convenient for them—24 hours a day any day of the week. Likewise, customer support is available around the clock. After the test session’s score is qualified, applicators receive immediate exam outcomes and those are electronically delivered to TDA within 24 hours.

The new pesticide certification and licensing exams portal is scheduled to launch next month. For more information, call the Pesticides Section at 615-837-5148, or contact TDA’s Certification and Licensing Supervisor Phil Hurst at 615-837-5404 or email phil.hurst@tn.gov.

Governor Bill Lee outlined key administration bills in his 2021 legislative package.

“We have a number of conservative proposals for consideration that will reduce crime, support strong families and get our economy back up to speed,” said Gov. Lee. “These proposals will also position us well to continue the recovery that has already begun across our state.”

In addition to legislative proposals, Gov. Lee’s programmatic initiatives are outlined in his State of the State address.

Key legislative highlights are included below:

Supporting Tennessee Families

Foster Youth Reach Act, SB0722/HB0139: provides higher education support for youth aging out of the foster care system through a pilot outreach program.   

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Proposal, SB0751/HB0142: supports families in need by reforming our TANF program to promote economic mobility and improved outcomes for recipients.

Common Core Supplemental Materials, SB0769/HB0782: prohibits the local selection of supplemental education materials by schools and districts that are aligned to Common Core, closing a loophole in state law.

STRONG Act Expansion, SB0755/HB0083: enhances education opportunities for Tennessee National Guard members by expanding tuition reimbursement to include technical certificates and master’s programs.

National Guard Reemployment Act, SB0754/HB0082: ensures Tennessee National Guard members retain employment after returning from active state duty.

Volunteer Firefighter Reimbursement, SB0778/HB0772: provides $600 payments to volunteer firefighters who successfully complete forty hours of in-service training.

Tennessee Apprenticeship Act, SB0752/HB0771: expands access and improves quality of apprenticeship programs in Tennessee by registering apprenticeships through the state rather than the federal government.

Business Supports and Taxation, SB0775/HB0776: supports economic recovery of Tennessee small businesses by permitting the deduction of state business relief payments from the state’s franchise and excise tax.

Entertainment Tax Credit, SB0736/HB0141: creates a sales and use tax exemption and a franchise and excise tax credit for film production in Tennessee.

Constitutional Carry, SB0765/HB0786: advances Second Amendment rights by allowing law-abiding citizens to carry a handgun without a permit while enhancing penalties for firearm theft.

Reentry Success Act, SB0768/HB0785: improves outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals by increasing transparency in the parole process and enhancing practices that support success post-release.

Alternatives to Incarceration, SB0767/HB0784: expands treatment services and community-based supervision for offenders as alternatives to incarceration.

Transparency in Foreign Investment Act, SB1191/HB1238: requires greater transparency for any foreign investment activity on college campuses, particularly programs and partnerships with Confucius Institutes that have concerning ties to communist regimes.

Today the Tennessee Department of Health announced state-specific visitation restrictions for long-term care facilities will end effective February 28, 2021. Facilities should use the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services guidance for safe operation and visitation with limited visitation restrictions no longer in place at the state level.

The Tennessee Department of Health recognizes the extraordinary challenges long-term care facilities, their residents and the family members and caregivers of these particularly vulnerable Tennesseans have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the federal long-term care facility pharmacy partnership, 100 percent of Tennessee’s nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities have completed both doses of COVID-19 vaccinations, and Tennessee’s assisted care living facilities and residential homes for the aged are projected to be completed this week.

“The health and safety of vulnerable Tennesseans, especially our long-term care residents, remains our top priority, and our comprehensive and persistent efforts to protect this population from COVID-19 have saved lives,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “Now that vaccinations at all long-term care facilities are nearing completion, we are ready to transition to a more sustainable approach of following these best practices for safe operation of long-term care facilities in Tennessee.”

Guidance for Visitation
The guidance issued by CMS provides reasonable ways a nursing home can safely facilitate in-person visits to address residents’ social and emotional needs. Certified Medicare and Medicaid facilities should continue to follow the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Visitation Guidance. Per this guidance, nursing homes may allow indoor visitation when there has been no new onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 14 days and the facility is not currently conducting outbreak testing.

Long-term care facilities licensed by the state, which include Tennessee assisted care living facilities, residential homes for the aged and any nursing home not certified by CMS, should reference industry best practices including CMS Visitation Guidance and review related laws and rules when developing their own facility-specific visitation policies and procedures.

The CMS guidance outlines how facilities may expand communal dining and other group activities, provided infection control policies are followed. Even as COVID-19 case counts decline, facilities should remain vigilant in monitoring for COVID-19 cases among residents and staff members through appropriate screening and testing. Facilities may test visitors, which is encouraged, but not required. Additional resources on infection control practices are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Last week’s brutal winter storm has created an abundance of potholes along interstates and state highways in middle and west Tennessee. TDOT is launching a massive effort using all available manpower to repair the damaged areas as quickly as possible.

Multiple crews will be patching potholes over the coming days and weeks. Cold mix asphalt is currently being used for repairs. Some asphalt plants will open during the day and allow crews to use hot mix for a more permanent repair. But it may be spring or early summer before more permanent repairs are made. Full scale paving may be necessary in many locations. Some crews will be assigned to interstates while others will focus on state routes.

Please note – inclement weather, emergency repairs or incidents may disrupt daily schedules. TDOT does not count potholes, keep a tally of how many potholes have been repaired or the cost of repairs per pothole. These repairs are part of normal highway maintenance operations.

Motorists should be prepared for short term traffic delays during these repair operations. While every effort will be made to perform repairs during off-peak travel times (9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. weekdays), some lane closures may extend into the late afternoon, evening, and weekends. We ask drivers to be patient and to watch out for TDOT crews on interstates and state highways. Work with Us – move over, slow down.

Motorists can alert TDOT to potholes using this form: https://www.tn.gov/tdot/maintenance/maintenance-request.html

The recessed February Monthly Meeting of the Cannon County Board of Education scheduled for Thursday, February 18^th, has been rescheduled to Monday, February 22^nd – 6:00 PM at Woodbury Grammar School due to inclement weather conditions.  This Meeting will also be available via ZOOM for those with COVID-19 Concerns.

Cannon County Youth Basketball is cancelled for Saturday, February 20^th. Coaches will receive information at the beginning of the week regarding rescheduling games and the tournament.

Cannon County High School Basketball Games that were originally scheduled to be played earlier this week have been rescheduled due to inclement weather conditions throughout District 8 AA. 

The Cannon County High School Lionettes will play on Sunday, February 21^st, 3:00 PM at Watertown High School in the first round of the District 8 AA Tournament against the Watertown Lady Purple Tigers.   

The Cannon County High School Lions will also play on Sunday, 3:00 PM, February 21 at Home – Robert A. Harris Gymnasium on the Campus of Cannon County High in the first round of the District 8 AA Tournament against the Macon County Tigers.

WBRY will air BOTH the boys and girls games Sunday. The boys game with Macon County will air live with Teddy Taylor at 3pm. The girls game with Watertown will air (delayed) at 6pm with Jeran Tenpenny.

Hear the games on AM 1540, FM 107.1 and streaming at wbry.com. Due to the live broadcast, the Hillview Church of Christ program that normally airs at 2:30 will move to 2:00pm for this Sunday.

From the National Weather Service,
WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON

* WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 4 inches and ice accumulations of around one tenth of an inch possible.

* WHERE...the northwestern two thirds of middle Tennessee

* WHEN...From Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.

Closings, Postponements and Reduced Hours

Tuesday night’s District 8 AA Tournament game between Cannon County and Macon County will be rescheduled.

Cannon County Schools will be closed Wednesday.

Trash collection in the Town of Woodbury for Tuesday will be performed Wednesday.

Woodbury Church of Christ has canceled Wednesday evening Bible Study.

The Senior Center will be closed Wednesday due to inclement weather. 

COVID-19 Vaccinations for Wednesday will be rescheduled, persons scheduled will be called.

Capstar Bank will be open Wednesday from 9am – 2pm.

Parent-Teacher Conferences originally scheduled for Cannon County Elementary Schools on Tuesday, February 16^th, have been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 9^th, 2021 – 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Cannon County High School Parent-Teacher Conferences originally scheduled for Thursday, February 18th, have been rescheduled for Thursday, March 11th, – 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.  Parents/Guardians should contact their student’s individual school and teacher for specific times on those dates.

WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation. Additional snow and sleet accumulations of up to one inch and ice accumulations of up to one to two tenths of an inch.

* WHERE...Cumberland Plateau and nearby areas.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM CST Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice, especially just to the west of the Cumberland Plateau. Travel could be nearly impossible.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Freezing rain will continue, with a mix of sleet and snow possible through the evening. Temperatures will remain below freezing during the day Tuesday which will continue hazardous travel conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Our current list of closures include:

The 8 AA District Tournament game between Cannon County and Watertown scheduled for Monday night has been postponed.

Cannon County Schools will be closed Tuesday.

Middle Tennessee State University will be closed Tuesday.

Cannon County Schools Central Office will be closed Tuesday.

The Courthouse and the Finance Office for the county will be closed Tuesday.

The ADA Advisory and Grievance Committee scheduled for Tuesday has been cancelled.

Capstar Bank will be closed Tuesday in concern for the safety of their staff members and their clients.

The Cannon County commodities distribution event scheduled for Tuesday has been cancelled due to inclement weather.

The Cannon County Senior Center will be closed Tuesday.

If you need WBRY to announce a closure for you, email your item to askus@wbry.com

Severe Weather Alerts on WBRY are a service of Shelter Insurance on Main Street across from the courthouse.

Cannon County Sheriff Darrell Young is asking everyone not to be out on the roads if you don’t have to. These roads are bad and are going to get worse. The response time will be slow with ice on roadways.

Cannon County Emergency Management Agency Director Roy Sullivan reports, TDOT is doing a great job of getting the main hwy ways cleared and the hills in and out of Woodbury passable but the side roads are getting covered in ice and now sleet. Ice is continuing to build up on trees and buildings.

With the President’s Day holiday, some businesses will be closed.  Today is a holiday for Cannon County Schools.

Middle Tennessee State University will be closed today, because of inclement weather. All classes — in person and online — are canceled.

The only exception will be for operations essential to public safety and service to on-campus residents. Employees who provide essential services should contact their supervisors if they feel conditions are too hazardous for them to travel. 

Due to the dangerous weather conditions in our area and the potential for power outages, all classes at Tennessee Tech are canceled and all university offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. 15. Classes will be canceled instead of moving to online because of the predicted power disruptions. Updates will be posted on www.tntech.edu and on Tech social media accounts, and emails will be sent to the campus community. Those updates will include essential services available on campus.  

All retail dining locations will be closed tomorrow. The cafeteria will be open with reduced hours serving brunch and dinner between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. 

The Tennessee Department of Transportation is preparing for travel impacts from an approaching winter weather system that is forecasted to bring ice and heavy snow to large portions of the state, especially in middle and west Tennessee. TDOT urges drivers to be alert to changing weather conditions, and based on information from the National Weather Service, is urging drivers to avoid travel between Sunday evening and Tuesday morning.

“Our supplies are stocked, and our crews are mobilized,” TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright said. “We need drivers to understand that it takes time to clear and treat the roads, and it is never safe to travel in icy conditions. If you must get out, please be mindful of our crews. Work with us – move over and slow down.”

Crews have been applying salt-brine pre-treatment to TDOT-owned roads throughout the state and treating freezing fog issues throughout the weekend. Once the storm begins, TDOT will be operating trucks 24 hours a day throughout the event.

TDOT will be temporarily expanding its HELP roadside assistance program in middle and west Tennessee starting Sunday night to cover all of I-40 between Memphis and Nashville. HELP Operators will be performing wellness checks and monitoring roadway conditions.

For winter weather tips and travel information, and a regional breakdown of TDOT winter weather supplies and equipment, visit the TDOT web site at https://www.tn.gov/tdot/inclement-weather/ice—snow.html.

For the latest on road conditions, check TDOT SmartWay before you go: https://smartway.tn.gov