Tennessee has been selected as one of four states to participate in a pilot program for delivery of the Pfizer Inc. COVID-19 vaccine now under development. This program is designed to address distribution challenges posed by requirements for ultra-cold storage of the vaccine.
“We have a robust plan in place for distribution of this vaccine, and we’re honored to be chosen to help establish a model for other states in providing COVID-19 vaccine to their residents once it’s approved,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP.
Tennessee will participate in the pilot along with New Mexico, Rhode Island and Texas, states chosen based on their differences in size, population diversity and immunization infrastructure. Lessons learned through this program will help support all states in development of effective immunization programs for this COVID-19 vaccine.
Once the vaccine is approved, Tennessee and other states participating in the pilot will not receive vaccine doses earlier than other states by virtue of the pilot. Pfizer expects to have enough safety data on the vaccine from ongoing trials before the end of November before applying for emergency use authorization. Pfizer is working with Operation Warp Speed and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure that following approval, their COVID-19 vaccine can be provided to those most in need as quickly and equitably as possible.
TDH in coordination with other state and local agencies submitted an initial draft of the COVID-19 Vaccination Plan for Tennessee to the CDC on October 16, 2020. This plan will be modified as more is understood about the virus and the availability of approved vaccines currently in development. Tennessee is preparing to begin distribution of COVID-19 vaccine as early as December 2020.
TDH is working to onboard hospitals, pharmacies, clinics and other partners capable of storing vaccine and administering it to priority populations. TDH will ensure distribution of vaccination sites across all 95 counties, especially in rural counties and areas with high concentrations of people in vulnerable populations. Providers who wish to administer COVID-19 vaccine may find more information online at www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov/covid-19-vaccine-information.html.
Cannon County High School Boys and Girls Basketball Games will be held on Friday, November 20th, 2020 – 6:00 PM under the current guidelines from the TSSAA (Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association). The games feature Cannon County High School vs Shelbyville Central High School at the Robert A. Harris Gymnasium on the Campus of Cannon County High School.
There will be a limited number of tickets for the games on Friday, November 20th, 2020 – 6:00 PM. Tickets are $6.00 and can be picked up after 9:00 AM on Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 at the Cannon County High School front office. Tickets are sold on a “first come-first served” basis until the limited number of tickets (400) has been reached.
Spectators will be required to social distance and sit as a family unit in designated seating areas. Facial coverings are required and temperature checks are also required upon entry. Concession Stand items will be limited to pre-packaged items only, and spectators will maintain social distancing at all times.
As the season continues, if the COVID-19 Active Case Count in Cannon County experiences high virus transmission, further limitations on attendance (e.g., family members only, or no spectators) could occur at future games. This determination will be made by Cannon County Schools Officials in consultation with the local office of the Tennessee Department of Health.
First National Bank locations make their final step over the weekend into CapStar Bank. The merger includes the Woodbury branch.
The First National Bank was organized and chartered in 1900 to serve the financial needs of Coffee County where it has operated continuously for the last 120 years. Today, the bank spans four locations across Cannon, Coffee and Rutherford Counties with growth driven by the bank’s original mission to be the cornerstone of the local communities it serves.
CapStar was organized in Nashville in 2008 just as the Great Recession was gaining momentum. Founded as a commercial bank, CapStar focused on providing tailored financial solution to the needs of businesses and consumer clients seeking an authentic and discreet relationship with experienced bankers. Since its founding in 2008, CapStar has grown organically and through acquisitions of Sumner County’s American Security Bank & Trust in 2012, Farmington Mortgage in 2013 and Athens Federal Community Bank in 2018. The bank now operates in three of the most prolific regions in the state – Nashville, Chattanooga/Cleveland and Knoxville.
Tennessee moved up eleven spots to a ranking of 28th in responding to the mental health needs of its citizens according to the 2021 State of Mental Health in America report published by Mental Health America. The annual ranking of all 50 states and the District of Columbia examines data trends in various categories relating to prevalence of mental illness, substance use disorder, thoughts of suicide, and access to care for both adults and youth.
Tennessee’s jump of 11 spots was the 4th largest move among states that improved. Additionally, Tennessee’s ranking in adult categories improved to 18th this year up from 28th last year. The data used to compile the report represents the latest publicly available, nationwide behavioral health statistics from 2017 and 2018.
“This report shows great gains for the state of Tennessee, and that’s without including the impact of recent advancements and expansion in state services. Just in the last two years, with the support of Gov. Bill Lee and the General Assembly, we have expanded our Behavioral Health Safety Net to cover more uninsured adults and to cover uninsured children for the first time,” said Marie Williams, LCSW, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS). “We know this work and additional investments in substance abuse services and suicide prevention are having a positive impact for Tennesseans.”
In addition to recent state investments in mental health and substance abuse services, TDMHSAS has received more than $10 million in federal grants to respond to behavioral health concerns caused by COVID-19.
“While Tennessee has made tremendous strides compared to other states, the report also highlights the need to improve better access to those services, which is why Mental Health America of the MidSouth provides online screenings, advocates for telehealth, and goes into schools and businesses to promote whole health, social-emotional health, suicide prevention, and workplace wellness,” said Tom Starling, Ed.D., CEO of Mental Health America of the MidSouth.
Ben Harrington, CEO of the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee added “I am really proud of the thoughtful and innovative investments in behavioral health services made
by the state of Tennessee in the last decade. These investments clearly have made a huge impression as Tennessee continues to rise in national rankings. Tennessee has made great
strides in services provided to Tennesseans so that we can intervene in early stages of illness while preventing untold costs and suffering. It is a pleasure to work with our colleagues
at the Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services and community agencies as we work to build a behavioral health system which is responsive to the needs of all
Tennesseans.”
The report shows additional gains for Tennessee’s in the following areas:
Adults with Any Mental Illness – ranked 13th this year up from 30th last year
Adults with Serious Thoughts of Suicide – ranked 18th this year up from 28th last year
Adults with Any Mental Illness Reporting Unmet Need – ranked 7th this year up from 25th last year
Adults with Substance Use Disorder – ranked 9th this year, virtually unchanged from last year
Youth with At Least One Major Depressive Episode in the Past Year – ranked 6th this year up from 17th last year
Youth with Severe Major Depressive Episode – ranked 19th this year up from 39th last year
Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide can call the Tennessee Statewide Crisis line at 855-CRISIS-1 (855-274-7471). For more on the crisis line, visit this link: TN.gov/crisisline
According to the Tennessee Department of Health, Canon County has recorded 535 total cases of COVID-19 during the pandemic. This has resulted in two deaths and 12 hospitalizations, 445 cases are listed as inactive or recovered, currently 88 active cases in Cannon County 18 new cases on the Tuesday count and 23 new cases were reported Monday. Over the last seven days Cannon County has averaged 51 tests per day and over the past seven days the average positive rate was 20.4%.
Today our news reports changes in our community due to the increased numbers.
Today is Veterans Day and is a national and state holiday. The Cannon County Courthouse was scheduled to be closed for the holiday. However, the current plan indicates that the Courthouse may not re-open until Monday, November 16th (if then).
Due to the recent outbreak on COVID-19 cases in Cannon County, safety concerns of our aged veterans, and concern for those attending, the Woodbury American Legion Post 279 is postponing our Veterans Activities on November 14th and hoping to re-schedule until March 29, 2021. Decision was made after looking at the high number of new classes, Veterans calling in about their feeling about coming at this time, and expected level of participation.
The local American Legion Post wishes to thank all who were planning on coming and supporting the event, but the safety over rides the spirit of the program.
The Water Department for the Town of Woodbury will only be operating with their drive-thru window until further notice.
WBRY hopes you will follow the CDC guidelines and help reduce the number of cases in our area.
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 beginning Thursday, November 12th, 2020 through Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 – Cannon County Schools are OFF for Thanksgiving Holidays on Wednesday, November 25th, 2020, Thursday, November 26th, 2020 and Friday, November 27th, 2020. Students will return to On-Campus Learning Monday, November 30th, 2020.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 November 30th, 2020.
Director of Cannon County Schools, William F. Curtis stated, “There has been a 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. The following Statistics indicate:
Total Cannon County Students = 1,810
Students
Total Positive Cases = 14 Students or 0.07%
Total Contacts = 276 Students or 15.2%
Total Cases/Contacts = 290 Students or 16.02%
Staff
Total Positive Cases = 5 (Staff Personnel) or 1.6%
Total Contacts = 29 (Staff Personnel) or 4.4%
Total Cases/Contacts = 34(Staff Personnel) or 11.3%”
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 Thursday, November 12th, 2020 through Tuesday, November 24th, 2020. Cannon Elementary School Students will return to “On-Campus” learning Monday, November 30th, 2020. Teachers will get packets to students for work on Thursday, November 12th, 2020 and my expectation is that ALL Teachers will utilize Google Meet platform for ALL Elementary Students on Friday, November 13th, 2020 through Tuesday, November 24th, 2020. Cannon County Schools are OFF for Thanksgiving Holidays on Wednesday, November 25th, 2020, Thursday, November 26th, 2020 and Friday, November 27th, 2020. 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 6th-8th have already been provided a Chromebook for instruction and will be required to check-in daily with each teacher and complete assignments. Our Technology Team is in the process for distributing newly arrived Chromebooks for 4th and 5th Grades, and we hope to have them distributed by Monday, November 16th, 2020. PreK-3rd Grade Students will utilize Google Classroom if that technology is available, and paper packets will be sent out and received at the Meal Distributions.”
“GRAB-AND-GO BREAKFASTS AND LUNCHES will be distributed at each Cannon County Elementary School on Thursday, November 12th, 2020 – 11 AM – Noon – Breakfasts & Lunches provided for 2 days; Monday, November 16th, 2020 – 11 AM – Noon – Breakfasts & Lunches provided for 5 days; Monday, November 23rd – 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.”
Every two years, the TSSAA reviews classification for its member schools. The governing body for prep sports has announced some changes to Cannon County’s Class 3-A, Region 4. The five members of the region now include;
Cannon County Head Football Coach Matt Daniel had the following comments about the classification.
“I am excited about the addition of Community and Giles Counties into our Region and with the loss of Upperman, York, and Smith to other classifications and regions our region will look a lot different in 2021. Cannon will be geographically at the center of this region and travel will be decent for us when it comes to away games in our region. Giles County has had very good teams in the past and will be a challenge year in and year out. Community is more familiar to us since we played them in non-region contests the last two years. Sequatchie and Grundy are long-time region opponents and will continue to produce competitive teams. I look forward to our Region meeting and laying some groundwork to help support Region 4-3A. Go Lions.”
Tennessee Highway Patrol, Woodbury Police Department and Cannon County Sheriff’s Department worked together Thursday afternoon and evening to bring a 17 year-old male from Hamilton County into custody.
Trooper Coppinger of the Tennessee Highway Patrol was on routine traffic patrol when an automobile sped past his vehicle. The car was traveling 81 miles an hour in a 55 mile per hour zone. Coppinger gave pursuit. The vehicle reached 120 miles an hour, however the suspect later informed local officials that he reached 160 miles an hour. During the pursuit, the suspect’s vehicle sideswiped two vehicles before crashing on McBroom Street.
Woodbury Police and Sheriff’s Department deputies along with additional members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol were aided by a helicopter and the Cannon 911 center resources. The public was notified by the alert system of the 911 center. The public assisted in sending tips to the location of the suspect.
The juvenile was on the run from Department of Children Services in Hamilton County. His trail over the past month had him in Alabama. In that state he faces charges for auto theft and multiple robberies. When he was taken into custody, he had a stolen gun in his possession.
The entire period from entering the city to being taken into custody extended over several hours.
The juvenile has been returned to Hamilton County will be is facing numerous charges.
Trooper Coppinger commented that was thankful that no one was injured during the ordeal.
Cannon County Schools would like to inform Parents and Guardians that Monday, November 23rd, 2020 and Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 will be ALL Virtual Days for ALL Students in Cannon County Schools. This means that students will NOT be “On-Campus” at their schools on these dates, but will be learning from home on those dates. Teachers and ALL Staff Personnel will report to their respective schools to utilize these days to work on Virtual Learning activities and supports with our students. Custodians will also utilize this time for additional deep cleaning of the schools.
Cannon County Schools Director William F. Curtis stated, “There has been a recent surge in the number of positive cases and specifically contacts of COVID-19 across the School District. Other School Districts in the Upper Cumberland Region have decided to ‘go virtual’ on these two days given that students are off for the Thanksgiving Holidays on Wednesday, November 25th, 2020, Thursday, November 26th, 2020 and Friday, November 27th, 2020. I have been in consultation with the Tennessee Department of Health at the Local, Regional, and State levels, and they suggested this would be a good idea to extend the time to allow students apart from one another. Cannon County High School has recently seen a surge in contacts and are ‘Distance Learning’ on these days already. My sincere thanks to Parents/Guardians, our hard-working Teachers, and Staff for their patience and persistence in this unprecedented time. All of OUR Cannon County Schools Family work hard 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.”
Cannon County High School located at 1 Lion Drive, Woodbury, Tennessee will cease On-Campus Learning from Friday, November 6th, 2020 through Friday, November 27th, 2020. Students will return to On-Campus Learning on Monday, November 30th, 2020. ALL Cannon High School Students will be participating in Distance Learning during this time.
Director of Cannon County Schools, Mr. 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 = 564
Total On-Campus Students = 542
Total Distance Learning Students = 22
Students
Total Positive Cases = 6 Students or 1.1%
Total Contacts = 136 Students or 25.09%
Total Cases/Contacts = 145 Students or 26.7%
Staff
Total Positive Cases = 0 (Teacher)
Total Contacts = 3 or 4.4%
Total Cases/Pending Cases/Contacts = 3 or 4.4%”
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 Friday, November 6th, 2020 through Friday, November 27th, 2020. Cannon County High School Students may return to “On-Campus” learning on Monday, November 30th, 2020. All Cannon County Elementary School Students will still have School Bus Services and report to school as usual. 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 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 children of the Cannon County Community during this pandemic event. Please contact Cannon County High School at 629-218-3197 for any additional needed information.”
