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Governor Lee gave the following address Sunday night.

Good evening Tennesseans. It’s Christmas week, ordinarily a time when families across the state are gathering to celebrate. Unfortunately, these are not ordinary times. We are in a global pandemic that’s been crippling our country for months and now Tennessee is ground zero for a surge in sickness. I am speaking with you tonight because I want to be clear with where we are and what we need to do together to get through this.

We now have around 10,000 Tennesseans getting sick every day. To put that in perspective, that’s three times where we were around Halloween. Thousands of our neighbors are in the hospital tonight. More than 100 people are dying each day. We are in a war. With the arrivals of the first vaccine, we have launched an offensive that will end this war. But it is the next few weeks that is going to be the most critical for our state.

We have seen firsthand that Thanksgiving gatherings and extended time indoors have been the principal driver in spreading COVID-19 like wildfire. It only took a matter of days to see gatherings around Thanksgiving translate into a record level of sickness. Tennessee cannot sustain a similar surge after Christmas or New Year’s. Tonight, I am asking you to make some hard decisions.

I am asking you to not engage in indoor gatherings for the holidays that include anyone outside your household. Family time and celebrations are important. I understand deeply how much Tennessee families need each other. But we must do all that we can to blunt this surge and keep more Tennesseans from getting sick.

But beyond family gatherings and what I am asking you to do in your own home, we need to address public gatherings through these important weeks, as well.

I am signing an order that will limit indoor public gatherings to 10 people.

I believe high school sports are important for our kids and they should continue. In coordination with the TSSAA, we are limiting attendance at indoor sporting events.

We know that it is gatherings that have caused this surge. That is why we are making these decisions around gatherings that will help us blunt the rise in cases.

Additionally, I am asking business owners to let employees work from home for the next 30 days. If work from home is not available, masks should be worn at work. Plain and simple.

I want to talk about the importance of wearing masks around people who do not live in your home. Right now, 70% of Tennesseans are under a mask requirement. I commend the local officials who have implemented mask requirements. Because of that, 80% of Tennesseans report they wear their masks most or all of the time and I thank them for doing this. We need them to continue and the remaining 20% to wear a mask and protect their health.

Many think a statewide mandate would improve mask wearing, many think it would have the opposite effect. This has been a heavily politicized issue. Please do not get caught up in that and don’t misunderstand my belief in local government on this issue. Masks work and I want every Tennessean to wear one.

Tennesseans have two weapons that they must use in the next 30 days: only gather with your household and wear a mask.

The State of Tennessee will continue to mobilize every effective resource in this war. COVID testing is available to everyone free of charge. Vaccines are being delivered to every corner of the state. We are getting hundreds of thousands of vaccines out to our nursing home residents and health care workers so they can be vaccinated.

As our hospitals face this surge of sick Tennesseans, we have authorized the National Guard medics to work in hospitals and provide lifesaving care. We have established COVID specific nursing homes so that we protect the most vulnerable and help hospitals free up critical bedspace. We will continue to utilize every effective resource but government cannot do this alone.

We are in a cold, cruel phase of this pandemic. It will get worse before it gets better. I know you are tired. But we have got to double down. I am reminded of Winston Churchill’s words during the darkest days of World War II: “It would be foolish to disguise the gravity of the hour. It would be still more foolish to lose heart and courage.”

I believe in the courage of Tennesseans to face this darkest hour. I believe that victory will be ours and we have the power to determine how long this extends. If we each do our part, we will win and move to a new season of health and prosperity for our state.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to each Tennessean for their attention and care tonight. God bless the State of Tennessee.

Tennessee Department of Health COVID-19 testing sites across the state will begin offering self-testing kits to adults three days a week December 21, to allow staff members to transition to vaccination of frontline health care providers and first responders. Local county health departments will continue to offer COVID-19 testing five days a week at no charge for anyone who wishes to be tested.

“We’re making this transition so our Department of Health staff can assist with administration of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “State-run health departments currently collect an average of only 16 percent of all COVID-19 tests statewide, and our change will not affect the wide availability of testing through private providers in Tennessee. While the arrival of vaccines is welcome, it is imperative that we not let up on basic best practices and continue to protect each other by wearing masks, practicing social distancing and staying home when sick.”  

The new COVID-19 self-tests will be offered to adults on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays beginning Dec. 21. On these days, public health staff members at each TDH COVID-19 testing site will provide self-testing kits to adults who wish to be tested. Individuals will remain in their vehicles while completing paperwork and collecting their samples. Health departments will submit the samples for testing.

Adults tested with the new self-tests will register and receive their results online. The self-tests are not approved for use in children under age 18. Children and adults unable to register online can still receive the standard nasal swab COVID-19 tests on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Test results may be available within 72 hours of arrival at the lab, depending on the volume of tests the testing lab receives. Information will be provided to participants at testing locations on what they can expect after being tested. This information is also available online at www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/cedep/novel-coronavirus/TestedGuidance.pdf. 

COVID-19 testing is widely available in Tennessee from local health departments and other health care providers. A map of COVID-19 testing sites across the state is available at www.tn.gov/content/tn/health/cedep/ncov/remote-assessment-sites.html. Hours of operation and contact information are provided for each site.

TDH county health departments will be closed and will not offer COVID-19 testing Dec. 24 – 25 and Dec. 31, 2020 – Jan. 1, 2021 in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

Tennessee’s presidential electors met at the State Capitol today to cast their ballots for Donald J. Trump for President of the United States. “Tennessee’s electors casting ballots in the Electoral College is the last step in our electoral process,” said Secretary Hargett. “Tennessee had a safe, sensible and responsible election, thanks to the hard work and planning by our Division of Elections, the administrators and staff of our 95 county election commissions and all of the poll officials who stepped up to serve in their communities.” The Volunteer State has 11 of the total 538 electoral votes that make up the U.S. Electoral College. Each state gets two at-large electors and one elector for each congressional district. Tennessee has nine congressional districts.   By law, Tennessee is a winner-take-all state. In the Nov. 3, 2020, general election Donald J. Trump received 1,852,475 votes and Joseph R. Biden 1,143,711 received votes. Therefore, the presidential electors representing Tennessee were those chosen by the Tennessee Republican Party’s executive committee.  The electors who cast Tennessee’s U.S. Electoral College ballots were:  Congressional District 1: Paul Chapman Congressional District 2: Cindy Hatcher Congressional District 3: Tina Benkiser Congressional District 4: Dr. John Stanbery  Congressional District 5: Beverly Knight-Hurley Congressional District 6: Mary Ann Parks  Congressional District 7: Jim Looney  Congressional District 8: Kathy Bryson Congressional District 9: Terry Roland  At-Large: Scott Smith  At-Large: Julia Atchley-Pace. Click here to view the recorded live stream of Tennessee’s 2020 Electoral College.  For more information about the 2020 election including official results visit sos.tn.gov.

Mrs. Deia Sissom, Cafeteria Manager at Woodland Elementary School was named as “Employee of the Month” for December 2020 by Cannon County Schools. During the December Meeting of the Cannon County Board of Education on Thursday, December 10^th, 2020, Mrs. Sissom was recognized and presented a certificate by Cannon County Schools Director William F. Curtis for her service to the Cannon County School System.  Employees are nominated by School Principals or School District Supervisors and are voted on during monthly District Leadership and Supervisor meetings regarding individuals who exemplify the Vision and Mission of Cannon County Schools.

Cannon County Schools Food Service Supervisor, Mrs. Jennifer Insell stated, “Mrs. Deia Sissom is truly a blessing to all the students at Woodland Elementary School and also the entire community.  Deia serves as Cafeteria Manager at Woodland Elementary School and has been a loyal employee to Cannon County Schools for 23 years.  She takes great pride in doing her job well every day. Since the pandemic started in March, Deia and her staff have served over 1,250 breakfast and lunch meals per week to students in the Woodland community through the month of May. This is over 75% of her school population that attended meal distribution each week during the pandemic.  Deia and her exceptional staff have met every challenge such as, meal distribution during the pandemic, and virtual meal distribution on school buses!! Deia also understands the importance of breakfast each morning for her students.  This school year Woodland Elementary School started serving breakfast in the classroom to all students to help provide students with a great start to each school day.”

Insell continued, “Serving meals during these unprecedented times has been a huge undertaking for all Cannon County Schools Food Service employees. Deia and everyone at Woodland Elementary School has promoted this program.  Woodland Elementary School and Cannon County Schools truly believe that serving the whole child is tied to student success. I am blessed to be her supervisor. Deia is committed to our mission at Cannon County Schools. Our Food Service program considers her one of the best.”

Director of Cannon County Schools, Mr. William F. Curtis stated, “Mrs. Deia Sissom is one of those employees that demonstrates a “servant’s heart” ever day!  She has aided our School District and Woodland Elementary School by faithfully working to make sure that our Woodland Elementary School students are provided nourishing meals.  This commitment to her school has occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic during ‘Meal Distributions’ in the Spring and during virtual days this Fall.  She is an example of what our Cafeteria Workers and support staff do every day to help our Cannon County students achieve. Woodland Cafeteria Manager Deia Sissom  personifies OUR VISION – ‘Engaged in Excellence EVERY Day in EVERY Way!’ through our MISSION – ‘To Create a Unified Environment That Will Provide Opportunities for All Students to Reach Their Full Potential!’ Congratulations to Mrs. Deia Sissom for being an impactful ‘Team Player’ in our Cannon County Schools family and specifically Woodland Elementary School.”

ALL Cannon County Elementary Schools – Auburn Elementary School; East Side Elementary School; Short Mountain Elementary School; West Side Elementary School; Woodbury Grammar School; and Woodland Elementary School will cease On-Campus Learning on Monday, December 14th, through Friday, December 18th – Cannon County Schools are OFF for Christmas Holidays from December 19th, thru January 3rd, 2021.  Students will return to On-Campus Learning Monday, January 4th, 2021. ALL Cannon County Elementary School Students will be participating in Distance Learning during this time.  Cannon County High School was already participating in Distance Learning until January 4th, 2021.

Director of Cannon County Schools, William F. Curtis stated, “There has been another major surge in the number of positive cases and specifically contacts of COVID-19 with students and staff at our Cannon County Elementary Schools these past few days this week. We are following our ‘Continuous Learning Plan” regarding Distance Learning.  Currently, Cannon County is in the ‘Red Level’ as designated in the plan and the number of cases and contacts has been on an upward trend since Thanksgiving Break.”

Curtis continued, “We have been in consultation with the Tennessee Department of Health at the Local, Regional, and State levels which recommended the closure of our Cannon County Elementary Schools On-Campus Programs for allowing time for these possible exposures and cases to diminish. Our Cannon County Elementary School Students will transition to ‘Distance Learning’ on Monday, December 14th, 2020 through Friday, December 18th, 2020.  Cannon Elementary School Students will return to “On-Campus” learning Monday, January 4th, 2021. My expectation is that ALL Teachers will utilize the Google Meet platform and packets for ALL Elementary Students on Monday, December 14th, 2020 through Friday, December 18th, 2020 – 10 AM.  December 18th, 2020 is an ‘Abbreviated Day’ and Schools will close at 10 AM.  Cannon County Schools are OFF for Christmas Holidays – December 19th, 2020 thru January 3rd, 2021. School will be back in Session for On-Campus Learning on Monday, January 4th, 2021.  Parents and Guardians will be contacted by individual Cannon County Elementary School Officials via multiple means, and we sincerely appreciate their cooperation in these unprecedented times.” 

“Cannon County Elementary School Students Grades 4th-8th have already been provided a Chromebook for instruction and will be required to check-in daily with each teacher and complete assignments.  PreK-3rd Grade Students will utilize Google Classroom if that technology is available, and paper packets can be sent out and received at the Meal Distributions.  Tuesday, December 15th, 2020 will be a ‘FLEX DAY’ meaning Teachers will provide assignments to be completed independently and NO LIVE INSTUCTION will take place to allow teacher/staff time to aid in meal distribution and assemble packets if necessary.”

“GRAB-AND-GO BREAKFASTS AND LUNCHES will be distributed at each Cannon County Elementary School on Tuesday, December 15th, 2020 – 11 AM – Noon – Breakfasts & Lunches provided for 5 days.  CCHS students can pick up meals at ANY Elementary School.  CCHS is not a feeding site. A flyer is attached to this release and an additional separate Press Release regarding this program will be issued with more details.”                                                                                                       

Curtis concluded, “Cannon County Schools and specifically Cannon County Elementary Schools are very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, but our students’, families’ and staff members’ health and safety is our number one concern at this time. Thank you for your understanding.  Cannon County Schools appreciates the hard work of our dedicated Cannon County Principals, Teachers, and Staff Members to continue the education of the children of OUR Cannon County Community during this pandemic event.  Everyone in OUR Cannon County Schools Family is striving to achieve OUR NEW VISION – ‘Engaged in Excellence EVERY Day in EVERY Way!’  We urge everyone to do what they can to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during this latest ’resurgence’ involving our students, faculties, and staff personnel.    Please contact your individual Cannon County Elementary Schools (Auburn Elementary School; East Side Elementary School; Short Mountain Elementary School; West Side Elementary School; Woodbury Grammar School; and Woodland Elementary School) for any additional needed information.” 

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) launched the Tennessee Virtual American Job Center (VAJC) Friday, bringing information about job services and programs to Tennesseans anytime, anywhere. The unique website guides users to not only the employment assistance available to them but also other services offered by multiple state agencies.   Finding the right job and educational opportunities can be overwhelming. The goal of the VAJC is to provide users the information found at more than 80 American Job Centers across Tennessee, no matter the time or where they are located.   “The Virtual AJC makes it convenient for people to learn about the different programs that can have a meaningful impact on their lives,” said TDLWD Commissioner Jeff McCord. “In short, the Virtual AJC extends the reach of Tennessee’s American Job Center network”.

Job planning, education services, skills sharpening and training, work-life support, and youth services are a few of the programs the VAJC provides detailed information about in an easily understandable format.   When someone goes to the site, either on their desktop or mobile device, they can explore a list of services and programs that have the potential to improve their employment situation or provide financial assistance that will help them join the state’s workforce. Each program page contains information on eligibility requirements, reviews documents needed to apply, and provides the next steps to take to participate in the program.   If someone is unsure of which services could be most beneficial to them, the VAJC offers an interactive tool to navigate the different programs.

The Service Matcher guides the user through a short series of questions to determine what assistance is available to them. The Service Matcher then populates the programs they are eligible to participate in and creates a QR code for the user that contains all the information needed to start their AJC journey.   By streamlining the process of determining eligibility, the Service Matcher saves time when a job seeker initially meets with a career specialist. This tool will allow staff at the state’s American Job Centers to provide faster and more efficient service to their customers.   On the same page, the user can then make an appointment to meet with a career specialist in their area virtually, over the phone, or at the nearest American Job Center.   There are more than 80 American Job Centers located across Tennessee that are open and assisting customers. Job seekers now have the option of visiting an AJC in-person or online.   The Tennessee Virtual American Job Center is located at www.TNVirtualAJC.com. Users can visit the site on their schedule and at their own pace. Once they find the information they are looking for, they can take the next steps needed to improve their employment situation and their future.

Cannon County High School located at 1 Lion Drive, Woodbury, Tennessee will cease On-Campus Learning from day, Wednesday, December 9^th, 2020 thru Friday, December 18^th, 2020.  Students will return to On-Campus Learning on Monday, January 4^th, 2021. ALL Cannon High School Students will be participating in Distance Learning during this time.

Director of Cannon County Schools, William F. Curtis stated, “There has been a recent surge in the number of positive cases and specifically contacts of COVID-19 with students and staff at Cannon County High School this past week.  The following Statistics indicate: 

Total Cannon County High School Students = 567

Total On-Campus Students     =     545

Total Distance Learning Students = 22

Students

Total Active Cases      =     9 Students or 1.65%

Total Active Contacts =   93 Students or 17.06% 

Total Cases/Contacts  = 102 Students or 18.71%

Staff

Total Active Cases      =   3 Staff or 6.6%

Total Active Contacts =   7 Staff or 15.5%

Total Cases/Contacts  =  10 Staff or 22.2%”

Curtis continued, “We have been in consultation with the Tennessee Department of Health at the Local, Regional, and State levels which recommended the closure of our Cannon County High School On-Campus Program for allowing time for these possible exposures and cases to diminish. Our Cannon County High School Students will transition to ‘Distance Learning’ from Wednesday, December 9^th, 2020 thru Friday, December 18^th, 2020.  Christmas Break for Cannon County Schools is December 19^th, 2020 thru January 3^rd, 2021. Cannon County High School Students may return to “On-Campus” learning on Monday, January 4^th, 2021.” 

“Meanwhile, ALL Cannon County Elementary Schools will remain participating in On-Campus Learning thru December 18^th, 2020.  The following is the information regarding COVID-19 in ALL Schools in Cannon County:

All Cannon County Elementary School Students will still have School Bus Services and report to school as usual.”

Curtis concluded, “Parents of Cannon County High School Students have been contacted by School Officials via multiple means, and we sincerely appreciate their cooperation in these unprecedented times.  Cannon County High School Students are already provided a Chromebook for instruction and will be required to check-in daily with each teacher and complete assignments.  Cannon County High School Teachers will report to the school for Distance Learning Activities.”

“Cannon County Schools and specifically Cannon County High School is very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, but our students’, families’ and staff members’ health and safety is our number one concern at this time. Thank you for your understanding.  Cannon County Schools appreciates the hard work of Cannon County High School Principal Mr. Courtney Nichols, Teachers, and Staff Members to continue the education of the students of the Cannon County Community during this pandemic event.  Our desire is to achieve OUR common VISION – ‘Engaged in Excellence EVERY Day and in EVERY Way!’ to fulfill OUR MISSION – ‘To create a Unified Environment That Will Provide Opportunities for ALL Students to Reach Their Full Potential.”  We look forward to seeing our CCHS students back on our Campuses after Christmas Break on Monday, January 4^th, 2021!  Please contact Cannon County High School at 629-218-3197 for any additional needed information.” 

The Child Advocacy Center 20th annual Holiday Open House buffet luncheon originally scheduled for Friday, December 4, 2020 has been cancelled. 

The CDC is recommending limiting holiday social gatherings because COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths are soaring, with new records set daily.  The Child Advocacy Center Board of Directors and staff are concerned about public safety and want to be respectful of the CDC’s recommendations.  That is why the Board of Directors voted to cancel the event this year. 

“The Child Advocacy Center is grateful to all of our loyal supporters who faithfully attend the Holiday Open House every year,” said Child Advocacy Center Director Sharon De Boer.  “We are really going to miss seeing everyone.  We will be back next year with rooms full of food, beverages, desserts, and everyone’s favorite ‘the chocolate room?’” 

The Child Advocacy Center has never closed during the COVID-19pandemic.  We continue to respond to emergency child abuse cases with the Department of Children Services, law enforcement, and the District Attorney’s Office.  If you know of a child that is being physically or sexually abused please report to the Department of Children’s Services at 877-237-0004. If it is a life threatening situation please call 911.  

For more information, contact the Child Advocacy Center at (615) 867-9000. 

Mrs. Laura Daniel, a teacher at Dekalb Middle School in Smithville, Tennessee, is one of only 58 teachers selected for a National History Day® (NHD) fall professional development program. This new course focuses on using online Library of Congress primary and secondary sources to develop and support student research skills and is a feature of NHD’s membership in the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Consortium.

The 58 teachers selected represent 40 of National History Day’s affiliates across the country and around the world. The NHD network of 58 affiliates includes all 50 states and the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and international school programs in China, South Asia, and South Korea.

“This course has particular value now as teachers and students continue to address challenges of non-traditional learning settings required by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” said National History Day Executive Director Dr. Cathy Gorn. “The crucial skills Mrs. Daniel is learning and honing over the course of this series will benefit her students for many years to come. As a Library of Congress TPS Consortium member, we are incredibly fortunate to be able to offer this opportunity for teachers.”

For several months, Daniel works with her peers around the country and National History Day staff to build knowledge for teaching with primary sources. Upon completing the series, she will have demonstrated the ability to pair Library of Congress resources with active learning strategies to inspire, engage, and support her students.

About National History Day® (NHD)
NHD is a non-profit organization based in College Park, Maryland, which seeks to improve the teaching and learning of history. The National History Day Contest was established in 1974 and currently engages more than half a million students every year in conducting original research on historical topics of interest. Students present their research as a documentary, exhibit, paper, performance, or website. Projects compete first at the local and affiliate levels, where the top entries are invited to the National Contest at the University of Maryland at College Park. NHD is sponsored in part by HISTORY®, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Park Service, Southwest Airlines, The Better Angels Society, Jacqueline B. Mars, and BBVA. For more information, visit nhd.org.

About National History Day in Tennessee
National History Day is a year-long education program for students in grades 6-12 that engages both educators and students to improve the teaching and learning of history in public, private, and home schools.

Daniel is part of an education family, her husband Matt is a teacher and coach at Cannon County High School.

Thanks to our media partner, WJLE.

Schools in Cannon County, Coffee County and Warren County have announced they will be closed Tuesday, December 1st dur to severe weather. DeKalb County officials announced plans to begin classes two hours late on Tuesday.

The National Weather Service advises drivers in Middle Tennessee to use caution when driving Monday night and Tuesday morning. Dropping temperatures can make driving on overpasses and bridges an icy encounter.

This Severe Weather Alert is a service of Shelter Insurance, located across from the courthouse on Main Street.