News

Doctors are encouraging everyone over the age of six months to get a flu shot this year. They say 2020 is an extremely important year to get vaccinated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Someone who contracts flu and COVID at the same time faces a greater risk of a serious illness.

To help address these concerns, Ascension and the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation are giving free flu shots this month at five West and Middle Tennessee locations. They’ll be given while you are in your car, and no appointment is needed. 

Two of the five clinics are here in Middle Tennessee, and include a location nearby in Murfreesboro. That flu shot clinic will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Saint Louise Oak Creek Clinic, at 1015 North Highland Avenue, in Murfreesboro.

The other midstate clinic takes place a week earlier, this Saturday, at Ascension Saint Thomas Heart Antioch Clinic, 3754 Murfreesboro Pike, in Nashville.

Masks and social distancing will be required. Adults and older children should wear clothing that leaves the upper arm easily accessed. Younger children will receive the shot in the hip, so short pants are recommended.

Doctors also recommend avoiding gathering with persons indoors, except those who live in your household. Evidence now indicates the coronavirus is more likely to spread when people are in close quarters for an extended period of time, such as Thanksgiving dinner. Many doctors are recommending people avoid such gatherings this year.

Those at a higher risk of developing serious complications if they get sick include people older than 65, people with certain chronic medical conditions like diabetes or heart issues, pregnant women, and young children.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone six months of age or older get a flu vaccine every year. Find more details about the flu shot clinics at www.bettertennessee.com/events.

The results are in for the November General Election in Cannon County.

Total votes cast in Cannon County 6,684. Early voting accounted for 3,927, paper absentee 338 and election day was 2,419.

Local citizens followed the state in their support for a second term for Donald Trump as President with 79% of the votes cast, 5,190.  Joe Biden received 1,261 votes or 20% of the vote.

In the race for United States Senate, Bill Haggerty has 4,904 votes to Marquita Bradshaw’s 1,105.  Over on the House side of congress, incumbent, John Rose of Cookeville had 4,702 votes to Christopher Martin Finley’s 1,111.

In Nashville, Clark Boyd was unopposed for a second term in the State House.

On the county level, the Cannon County Commission will finally fill the vacant position for District 5. Kristal Alexander has won with 518.  Ethel Minor had 110 votes.

At the Board of Education, the appointments now become elected, in District 2 Jennifer Duggin received 689 votes. In District 5 Aletha Thomas received 597 votes.

The Mayor and Board of Alderman were on the ticket.  Mayor Andy Duggin won another term as he fought off challenger Michael T. Reed, 600 to 356.

All six positions on the Board of Alderman were up for consideration. Seven candidates were on the ballot.  In order of votes:

Hayden Bryson 597

Faye Northcutt-Knox 577

Harold Patrick 557

Lois Larimer 530

Charlie Harrell 519

Lu Ann Curlee 472

Adam Melton 428

The unofficial results indicate, Bryson and Harrell will be coming onto the board.  Melton will not return for another term and incumbent Tabitha Smith did not run for re-election.

Two questions were on the ballot dealing with the county school system.

Sales Tax Increase

For……………2,342 (36.93%)

Against…….3,999  (63.07%)

Wheel Tax Increase

For……………1,711  (26.97%)

Against…….4,632  (73.03%)

Before heading to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 3., the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office wants voters to have the information they need to cast their ballot in a safe, clean and secure fashion. On Election Day, polls open at various times. A list of when polls open in all 95 counties is available on sos.tn.gov. In Tennessee, all polls close at 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. CST.  In Cannon County, polls are open from 7am -7pm on Tuesday. Tennesseans can access voter specific information like polling times, locations, sample ballots, election results and more with the GoVoteTN app or with the Website App at GoVoteTN.com. Download the GoVoteTN app for free in the App Store or Google Play. Casting your ballot in the midmorning or midafternoon may shorten your time at the polls. Early morning, noon and 5 p.m. are peak times as people typically vote before work, after work or on their lunch breaks. Frail, physically disabled or visibly pregnant voters should tell their election officials if they cannot wait in line to vote. The law allows these voters to move through the process faster. To cast a ballot, voters need to bring valid photo identification. A Tennessee driver license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Tennessee state government or the federal government is acceptable even if it is expired. College student IDs are not acceptable. More information about what types of ID are acceptable can be found on sos.tn.gov or by calling toll free 1-877-850-4959. State law requires polling locations and the area within a 100-foot boundary of the entrance to remain campaign-free zones. The display or distribution of campaign materials and the solicitation of votes for or against any person, party or question on the ballot within this area are prohibited. Voters wearing campaign-related clothing or paraphernalia will not be allowed within the 100-foot boundary. While at your polling location, Tennesseans are encouraged to wear a face covering and maintain a six-foot distance from poll officials and other voters. Voters should expect to see signs with further safety instructions. All poll officials will wear face coverings and are trained in social distancing measures. A video and written plan outlining the precautions being taking for in-person voting during COVID-19 is available on the Secretary of State’s website sos.tn.gov/elections. On Election Day, voters are encouraged to report possible voter fraud or misinformation to the Division of Elections toll-free at 1-877-850-4959.    Unofficial election results will also be posted at elections.tn.gov.   Approximately 2.3 million Tennesseans voted in-person or absentee by-mail during the two-week early voting period smashing all prior early voting records, which ended Thursday, Oct. 29. A comprehensive report of turnout by county with comparisons to 2016 and 2012 is available on GoVoteTN.com.   For the latest information on Election Day in Tennessee, follow the Secretary of State’s social media Twitter: @SecTreHargett, Facebook: Tennessee Secretary of State and Instagram: @tnsecofstate.   Voters with questions or concerns about the election can go to GoVoteTN.com or call the Division of Elections toll-free at 1-877-850-4959.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is extending its successful Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program into the fall semester by sending qualifying families a card they can use to buy food for their student who has been impacted by the pandemic.  Over 500,000 students received benefits to replace school meals lost during the spring. That’s more than half of all public-school children in the state.

Fall semester P-EBT will provide parents with $5.86 in benefits per student for each school day that child missed because of the COVID-19 pandemic in July, August, and September. These benefits can be used to purchase food at any establishment that accepts EBT or online with Amazon and Walmart.

To be eligible, students must receive free or reduced meals at school or attend a Community Eligibility Provision school and they must have missed at least fiveconsecutive days of in person instruction because of school closure or virtual learning.  

TDHS and the Tennessee Department of Education partnered with local school districts to identify students that meet the qualifying criteria and the correct addresses to mail the cards.  The department is now in the process of mailing these cards to families.

 “P-EBT provided families with important support they needed during the summer and we’re excited to partner with schools to extend the program into the fall semester,” said Tennessee Department of Human Services Commissioner Danielle W. Barnes.  “Schools have truly become places families depend upon for nutrition and this program will provide resources to replace those meals while students are taking part in virtual learning. Helping families during this unprecedented time is how we will build a thriving Tennessee.”

For the second round of P-EBT, benefits will be issued on a new card and mailed to the homes of qualifying students.   Funds will not be placed on a family’s existing EBT/P-EBT card.  Families receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) may be eligible for P-EBT during the fall semester.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act authorized the U.S. Department of Agriculture to approve states for P-EBT. Approved state agencies may operate P-EBT when a school is closed for at least five consecutive days during a public health emergency designation when the school would otherwise be in session. Tennessee is among the more than 40 states that have received P-EBT approval.

Learn more about the Tennessee Department of Human Services at www.tn.gov/humanservices.                                                                            

Governor Bill Lee’s Unified Command Group will open drive through COVID-19 testing sites in each of Tennessee’s grand divisions Saturday, Oct. 31 in an ongoing effort to curb rising case rates in Tennessee’s rural areas. 

Saturday’s COVID-19 testing is free to those who want to receive a test. Testing sites will be open from 9 a.m. to noon, local time, and will stay open until all individuals in the vehicle line have received tests. The testing locations for Middle Tennessee are:

Middle Tennessee

Smith County
Smith County Ag Center 159 Ag Center Lane Carthage, TN

Wilson County
Wilson County Fairgrounds 945 East Baddour Pkwy. Lebanon, TN

Tennessee National Guard medics and TDH personnel will be at each rural testing site to collect nasal swabs from those who voluntarily agree to a COVID-19 test. Participants should receive their test results within 72 hours, depending on test processing volume at laboratories. Information will be provided to participants at the testing locations on what they can expect after being tested. This information is also available at: www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/cedep/novelcoronavirus/TestedGuidance.pdf.

A Cannon County Schools Bus was involved in an accident on Wednesday afternoon, October 28^th, 2020 with no students or bus driver injured.  At approximately 2:55 PM, Cannon County Schools Bus #15-09, driven by Veteran Bus Driver Felisa Coppinger, was rear-ended by a small pickup truck on Highway 53 South near the E-911 Center. 

The bus moved to the side of the highway and 911 was called, as well as, Cannon County Schools Transportation Supervisor Lisa Black. All students and the driver were checked and thankfully, no students or the Bus Driver suffered any injuries whatsoever.  The bus had just left Cannon County High School heading to Woodland Elementary School and was stopped dropping off a student, when it was hit by the small pickup truck. Supervisor Lisa Black arrived and students were transferred to another Cannon County Schools Bus and transported to Woodland Elementary School. The only damage to the Bus was smudged paint on the bus bumper. The pickup truck suffered significant damaged to its front end, and the driver and passenger were uninjured.

Members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol were contacted and Bus #15-09 has been approved to resume service on Thursday, October 29^th, 2020.  Cannon County Schools is appreciative to the Cannon County Sheriff’s Department, Cannon County Emergency Management, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

In light of the recent tragedy in Meigs County, Tennessee involving the fatality of a Bus Driver and a 7 year old Student, Cannon County Schools would like to remind Cannon County Citizens to exercise caution around Cannon County School Buses.

Director of Cannon County Schools – William F. Curtis stated, “We were very fortunate that this accident was very minor.  The safety of our students is the most important priority for our schools.  The recent tragedy in Meigs County, Tennessee was very much on my mind today.  I had sent an email message to Meigs County Schools Director Clint Baker, who I was in beginning Superintendents Academy with two years ago.  We had been in numerous sessions together, and he is a personal friend.  Our prayers of gratitude for the safety of our Cannon County Students are mixed with those of sorrow for our friends in Meigs County who have experienced this tragedy.  I ask all drivers in Cannon County to please slow down and pay close attention to our Cannon County School buses as they are loading and unloading our most precious asset – our students.  Our Bus Drivers work very hard as a part of the Cannon County Schools Team to achieve OUR NEW VISION – ‘Engaged in Excellence EVERY Day in EVERY Way!’ A special thanks to Bus Driver Felisa Coppinger, Transportation Supervisor Lisa Black, and Cannon County Emergency Responders!”

“We work to help agencies that serve victims of crime in every way we possibly can,” OCJP Director Jennifer Brinkman said. “Local agencies understand victims’ needs and work hard to fill those needs, so we are very thankful to our federal partners for providing funds to help them serve people.”

Grants of up to $50,000 may be awarded under this solicitation. The intent to apply and application for agencies must be completed prior to 4:00 p.m. CST on November 16, 2020. Eligible subrecipients under these solicitations are limited public or nonprofit organizations with a record of providing effective services to crime victims.

Allowable projects and purchases include, but are not limited to technology, public awareness, translators, hoteling needs for clients, food and personal hygiene products for clients, and equipment. Funding cannot be used to supplant local finds or to make-up for budget shortfalls.

Contracts under all solicitations will be 6 months in length beginning January 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2021. Funding will remain contingent, as always, on the availability of U.S. Department of Justice federal appropriations.

Additional information about OCJP and the availability of their funds can be located at the following link: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/finance/ocjp/VOCA%20Victim%20Services%20SOLICITATION.pdf

As of the close of polls on Oct. 26, the 11th day of early voting in Tennessee, a record-breaking 1,808,546 voters had cast their ballot for the Nov. 3 presidential election.

With two more days of early voting, turnout has already surpassed the previous record set during the 2016 presidential election when 1,689,989 Tennesseans voted early or absentee by-mail.

“This election, Tennesseans are engaged and are taking advantage of the convenience of early voting,” said Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “In the final days of early voting as well as on Election Day, Tennesseans can cast their votes in a clean, safe, and secure environment.”

The final day of early voting is Thursday, Oct. 29. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Matt Tepley with the Cannon County Election Commission reports that for the final day of early voting (Thursday), poll hours will be from 8am until 7pm. Totals in Cannon County, as of last week are 2,856 ballots and that includes ballots by mail.

The easiest way for voters to find their early voting and Election Day hours, polling locations and more is with the GoVoteTN app or online at GoVoteTN.com. The GoVoteTN app is free to download in the App Store or Google Play.

While visiting the polls, Tennesseans are encouraged to wear a face covering and maintain a six-foot distance from poll officials and other voters.

Tennesseans must bring valid photo identification to cast their ballot. More information about what types of ID are acceptable can be found on sos.tn.gov by calling toll free 1-877-850-4959

To view early voting turnout vote totals by county and a comparison of how this year’s turnout compares to 2016 and 2012, visit GoVoteTN.com.

For early voting and Election Day updates, follow the Secretary of State’s social media channels Twitter: @SecTreHargett, Facebook: Tennessee Secretary of State and Instagram: @tnsecofstate. For more information about early voting in Tennessee, go to GoVoteTN.com or call the Division of Elections toll-free at 1-877-850-4959.

The Cannon County Board of Education will host a “Meet & Greet / Public Forum” on Tuesday, October 27th from 7:00 pm to 8:30 PM in the Robert A. Harris Gymnasium on the campus of Cannon County High School, 1 Lion Drive, Woodbury.

The purpose of this forum is to allow parents/guardians, educators, and Cannon County citizens the opportunity to meet the new members of the Board of Education, as well as, allow the public to ask questions concerning the future of Cannon County Schools. 

If you have questions concerning the future of the schools the Board asks that you submit your question via email to jennifer.duggin@ccstn.net with your name and your role whether it be a parent, grandparent or just a concerned citizen. 

There will be as many questions answered that night as time will allow. 

This is your time to get involved with your community and become informed on one of the most important issues our county faces. 

The future of our children is the future of our county. The upcoming decisions that will be made by the Board of Education and the County Commission will determine our success or failure in the education of our children. 

Make plans to attend if possible or submit your question to the email address above. The Board of Education requests that you limit it to one question per person due to time constraints and please advise if you will be in attendance. 

This is one of the most important meetings our county will have and you are highly encouraged to attend. 

Social distancing and masks are highly encouraged, but are not mandatory. 

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is alerting consumers to an increase in fraudulent credit card devices found at gas pumps across the state.

“Inspectors with our Weights and Measures Section are discovering credit card skimmers during routine gas pump inspections,” Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. said. “Thanks to the watchful eyes and thoroughness of our inspectors, consumers are protected at the pump.”

Five fraudulent devices have been detected in user interface compartments on fuel pumps in the past six weeks in various locations statewide.

Consumers are urged to take note of the credit card reader they are using. If it appears to be different from other readers at the gas pumps or if it is not securely affixed to the display panel, report it to the gas station manager or TDA and move to another pump. If a card skimming device is detected at the pump, Tennessee Department of Agriculture inspectors immediately remove the pump from service and contact local law enforcement.

“Routine inspections are one way that we safeguard both the consumer and the business,” Weights and MeasuresAdministrator Ed Coleman said. “Most of the time, it’s impossible for either to know a credit card skimmer has been placed inside the compartment. One way for consumers to avoid contact with a skimming device is to pay for their gasoline purchase inside.”

A skimming device reads and stores data from the magnetic stripe on a credit or debit card when the card is used at a point of sale. Even at locations where chip readers are in use, stolen data from the strip can be used for fraudulent transactions. Consumers should always track purchases and be aware of balances on their bank accounts.

To report a suspected issue at a gas pump, call the Tennessee Department of Agriculture at 1-800-OCTANE1 (1-800-628-2631) or 615-837-5109. The business name and full address with a description of the issue should be reported along with the pump number.

One of the main functions of the Weights and Measures Section is to ensure consumer confidence in the marketplace by testing devices such as fuel pumps. Their work promotes uniformity in federal regulations and standards to achieve equity between buyers and sellers for items sold by weight, volume, or quantity.