The Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) has announced $22.6 million in federal grant funds to be distributed statewide from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the 2020-2021 Federal Fiscal Year. Woodbury and Cannon County will benefit from the funds.
Over 383 federal grants exceeding $22 million in total have been awarded to law enforcement agencies and highway safety partners across Tennessee. Approximately $3 million in media grant funds will be allocated for statewide highway safety education and public awareness campaigns.
Locally, Cannon County Sheriff’s Department will be granted funds for High Visibility Enforcement in the amount of $5,000.00. The Woodbury Police Department will be the recipient of funds in the amount of $10,000.00 for Alcohol and Impaired Driving Enforcement. Tennessee District Attorney General for the 16th Judicial District will be getting $163,000.00 for DUI Prosecution.
According to Buddy Lewis, Tennessee Highway Safety Office Director, “Every year, traffic safety advocates, non-profit organizations, emergency response personnel, law enforcement, district attorneys’ offices, and other state agencies across Tennessee seek funding through grant applications offered by the THSO.”
Applicants who meet the required data-driven criteria and highway safety standards are awarded grant funds to support the THSO’s mission to reduce traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
L-R: Abbye Moore, Abigail Buchanan and Will Byford
Congratulations to the Cannon County 4-H Dairy team for placing 2nd at the State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest held August 20, 2020 in Lebanon, TN. The team consisted of recently graduated Cannon County High School members Abigail Buchanan and Abbye Moore as well as current 12 grader, Will Byford. Abigail Buchanan placed 2nd high individual after placing 3rd for oral reasons. Abbye Moore placed 14th high individual overall but placed 6th for oral reasons. Will Byford placed 19th high individual overall after placing 23rd in oral reasons. Will also was recognized as the Central Region 8th place high individual for the virtual contest. A full team consists of 4 members so the Cannon County team of 3 did exceptional competing against other teams of 4. Dairy Judging teaches 4-H members decision-making skills while they learn more about the dairy industry. Team members learn:
How to evaluate the mild production of dairy cows and heifers
How to evaluate the proper structure of dairy animals
How to evaluate the longevity of dairy cows in production
How to justify placings in a set of oral reasons
Participants were asked to judge 5 classes of dairy cows and/or dairy heifers. Classes consisted of four animals. Attempts will be made to have at least two breeds represented, as well as, at least two cow classes and two heifer classes in the contest. The five major breeds are Holstein, Ayrshire, Jersey, Guernsey and Brown Swiss. The Senior High members also gave 3 sets of oral reasons to explain why they placed the classes the way they did. This improves their communication skills, as they must think under pressure while still using good presentation techniques.
Abigail is involved in not only judging dairy cattle but also showing them. Although dairy is Abigail’s primary project, she is also active in raising 4-H chickens, poultry judging, outdoor meat cookery, livestock judging, and has shown beef cattle and lambs over the years. Abbye’s primary project is horse but she is also active in poultry judging and outdoor meat cookery. Will’s primary project is poultry as he raises 4-H chickens, but he also enjoys livestock judging and grilling with outdoor meat cookery. All three 4-H members are honor club officers and although they have different projects they have all enjoyed competing on the dairy judging team the past 2 years.
The team had a great time learning about dairy animals and made new friends along the way. They represented Cannon County very well in this highly competitive contest! For more information about the 4-H dairy group, please contact the UT Cannon County Extension Office at 615-563-2554.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group today announced $61 million will be awarded in Tennessee Emergency Broadband Fund grants to improve access to broadband internet across the state. The grants are funded through the State’s Coronavirus Relief Fund allotment from the federal government and distributed through the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has only further elevated the importance of access to reliable, affordable broadband internet to facilitate telemedicine, distance learning, and telecommuting,” said Gov. Lee. “I thank the members of our Financial Stimulus Accountability Group and the Department of Economic and Community Development for their work in distributing these funds to shovel-ready projects that will directly benefit Tennesseans.”
“The emergence of COVID-19 greatly accelerated the need for widespread access to broadband. As all of us adjust to the new normal of social distance, technology becomes even more critical to study, work and socialize,” said Lt. Gov. Randy McNally. “These dollars will allow for implementation of greatly needed projects crucial to bringing us together virtually as we strive to stay apart physically.”
“This $61 million investment in additional broadband grants, in conjunction with the $60 million the General Assembly has already appropriated, will continue to increase access to high speed internet services across Tennessee. Our families, schools, businesses, and health care communities will benefit from this enhanced broadband infrastructure,” said House Speaker Cameron Sexton. “I appreciate Gov. Lee, Lt. Gov. McNally, our Accountability Group members and the General Assembly for their ongoing efforts to help strengthen Tennessee’s infrastructure; we will continue working together to identify and create solutions that address both our immediate and our emerging, long-term needs.”
ECD received 84 applications for $89.1 million in funding. Following review and a public comment period, 62 projects representing $61.1 million will be funded. The remaining $28 million in projects were denied due to a number of factors including project feasibility, applicant experience, and public comments received from existing broadband providers. Unfunded applicants will be invited to submit an application for the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Grant Program, funded at $15 million this year, where applicants are given significantly more time to complete project builds.
Pursuant to federal guidelines, these projects are limited to those that would enhance access to individuals and families affected during the COVID-19 pandemic by the lack of broadband access in their area. Eligible entities included those authorized to provide broadband services in Tennessee, and eligible areas were limited to those unserved or underserved locations lacking all equipment necessary to provide a broadband connection capable of supporting telemedicine, distance learning, and telecommuting.
More information on the Tennessee Emergency Broadband Fund can be found here.
Tennessee residents are allowed to hunt without a license on Saturday, Aug. 22 which coincides with the opening day of squirrel season.
Free Hunting Day is an event the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency annually provides in hopes of increasing interest in hunting. Squirrel hunting is one of Tennessee’s oldest and favorite traditions. The day serves as an excellent opportunity for persons to experience the enjoyment of the sport.
The TWRA encourages regular hunters to introduce friends and family members (young and old) to the outdoor sport. It is also an excellent opportunity for persons who have not tried hunting in a while to be reintroduced to the sport.
On Free Hunting Day, state resident hunters are exempt from hunting licenses and WMA permit requirements. Many of the WMAs are open to hunters seeking public access on Aug. 22. Hunters are asked to check the information for particular WMAs in the 2020-21 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide. Sportsmen are reminded to ask for permission to hunt on private lands.
The TWRA offers a reminder that hunter education requirements are not waived for Free Hunting Day. Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1969 is required to have successfully completed a hunter education course. An apprentice license is required for those born on or after Jan. 1, 1969 if the hunter education course has not been completed. This license exempts the hunter from the mandatory hunter education law for one year from the date of purchase, but may only be purchased for up to three consecutive years during the lifetime of the hunter.
Hunters can harvest up to 10 squirrels a day from the opening day of squirrel season through Feb. 28, 2021. Each hunting day begins a half-hour before sunrise and ending a half-hour after sunset.
In addition to squirrels, those species that have a year-round season will be open as well. The year-round species include armadillos, beavers, coyotes, groundhogs, and striped skunks.
For more information about hunting in Tennessee, visit TWRA’s website at www.tnwildlife.org or contact your nearest TWRA regional office.
Area schools continue to respond to the threat of Covid 19. The Cannon County Lions will have to wait at least one more week before the start of the 2020 season. White County school officials informed Cannon County officials that they will forfeit their game scheduled with the Lions for this week. According to reports, a player or players on the Warriors team has been exposed to COVID -19.
Now the first game for Matt Daniel’s Lions will be a road trip to Warren County, August 28th.
Coach Daniel said the forfeit is a disappointment for the team. Director of Schools William Curtis reported that there is a chance the White County contest could be reschedule later in the season.
Parents of students in Cannon County Schools are reminded that masks are required on the bus trip to schools each morning.
Around the area…
In Rutherford County, Smyrna Elementary had 53 students and 8 teachers who needed to quarantine after showing symptoms or being exposed to the virus, according to a release from the school system Tuesday.
Christiana Middle School is also shut down, transitioning students to distance-learning online for the rest of the week.
In Coffee County, two schools shut down after registration day, primarily due to staff having to quarantine. The district had to rearrange teachers in order to staff classrooms.
Following state guidelines, schools must mandate students and staff exposed to potential positive cases to quarantine for 14 days. Contact tracing must be conducted and parents notified immediately.
Secretary of State Tre Hargett is encouraging voters to prepare now to vote in the presidential election on Nov. 3. Tennesseans should make sure their voter registration is up-to-date and make decisions about whether they will vote in-person or absentee by-mail if eligible.
“We want every eligible Tennessean to be ready to vote in the November election,” said Secretary Hargett. “Whether voting in-person or by-mail we want your vote to count.”
Tennessee’s generous early voting period starts Oct. 14 and lasts until Oct. 29.
Voters who choose to vote in-person during early voting or on Election Day will see the same precautions used during the August election. Voters should expect to see signs with further safety instructions at their polling locations. Poll officials will be supplied with gowns, face shields, gloves and other PPE. All poll officials will be wearing face coverings and are trained in social distancing protocols. Voters will experience precautions taken such as single-use pens, disposable stylus to select their candidate and sanitizer at the polling location.
For voters, voting absentee by-mail county election commissions will start mailing out ballots in September. Election officials are currently taking steps to finalize the November ballot, including certifying August election results as well as waiting on both major parties to officially confirm their presidential nominees.
In Tennessee, voters must have a legal reason listed in the law to be eligible to vote absentee by-mail. Some of the most common legal reasons are voters who are 60 or older and voters who will be out of their counties during the election.
Eligible voters who have a special vulnerability to COVID-19 due to an underlying illness, physical disability, or other health condition and who cannot appear at the polling place on Election Day due to this condition may vote by absentee ballot under the “illness or physical disability” reason. Likewise, eligible voters who are caretakers to individuals with a special vulnerability may vote by absentee ballot under the “caretaker” reason.
Voters should consult trusted guidance from medical experts and use common sense in determining whether they have a special vulnerability. The CDC provides a website with helpful information that voters may wish to consult.
“If you make your request now to vote absentee by-mail, counties will be prepared to send you the ballot as soon as it is available,” said Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins. “Once you receive your ballot, vote it and mail it back in as soon as possible so it is ready to be counted on Election Day.”
Absentee by-mail ballots must be returned by-mail. This includes the U.S. Postal Service and services like FedEx and UPS. Each state is different when it comes to election law. Tennessee law does not permit voters to turn in their ballots in-person or for the use of drop boxes.
For the latest information on the Nov. 3 election, follow our social media channels Twitter: @SecTreHargett, Facebook: Tennessee Secretary of State and Instagram: @tnsecofstate. For more information on the voting process, go to GoVoteTN.com or call the Division of Elections toll-free at 1-877-850-4959.
DeKalb Telephone Cooperative, Inc. d/b/a DTC Communications will host its annual meeting on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, at the DeKalb County Fairgrounds in Alexandria.
DTC members will see changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The utility will follow the recommendations from the Tennessee Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control in addressing social distancing and safety measures for the well-being of DTC members and employees.
Directors will be elected in the Milton, Norene, and Woodbury exchanges. Incumbents Jim Vinson – Milton exchange, Terry McPeak – Norene exchange, and Brian Alexander – Woodbury exchange are running unopposed. Voting for directors will take place at the cooperative’s annual meeting on Saturday, Sept. 26.
Gates to the DeKalb County Fairgrounds in Alexandria will open at 8:45 a.m., with voting from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. The business meeting will begin at 11 a.m. or once the last person in line at that time has voted.
Only DTC members may vote, and each member must present proper photo identification. For a single membership, only that individual may vote. Either member of a joint membership may vote, but not both. In the case of a business membership, a business affidavit is required.
The last day to make changes to your membership or to be eligible to vote in the 2020 election will be Thursday, September 17. For questions regarding membership and voting, call DTC at (615) 529-2955. DTC Communications is a member owned telecommunications cooperative
During the last meeting of the Cannon County Commission, commissioners asked the Board of Education members to review and submit a simpler explanation of their wheel tax referendum for the November ballot. A revised question for the ballot was approved by the Board and submitted to the Commission.
In the recessed meeting of the Commission last night, the question was amended and returned to the Board of Education for their consideration.
The Cannon County Board of Education met in Emergency Session this morning and approved the amended resolution.
To approve the following Resolution from the Cannon County Commission:
Proposal to the Voters of Cannon County on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020
Shall Resolution be approved which increases the local wheel tax in Cannon County from $ 50.00 to $85.00 for each motor driven vehicle owned by residents of Cannon County, TN and requires the proceeds of the tax to be used for a new school construction and renovation of two existing schools and shall sunset when the debt is paid off.
Voters will have the option of voting either FOR or AGAINST for question.
Both elected bodies are working to make the upcoming deadline for the November ballot. To miss the window would mean the county will have to conduct a special ballot and a special election can cost the tax payers of Cannon County over twenty-thousand dollars.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group announced today new and expanded financial relief programs for small businesses, agribusinesses, displaced workers, and the tourism industry through the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). The Tennessee Small Business Relief Program will expand to include additional industries adversely impacted by reductions in commercial activity in April, with $83.5 million added to the program’s initial $200 million allotment.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has placed enormous strain on businesses and industries of all types,” said Gov. Lee. “We’ll continue to distribute federal resources prudently to address the pressing needs of Tennessee businesses to get our economy back on track.”
Expansion of Tennessee Small Business Relief Program – $83,517,500 The Tennessee Small Business Relief Program will expand to include additional businesses provided they have less than $10 million in annual gross sales and fall within an industry impacted by executive order limitations on activities, gatherings, and other non-essential businesses and activities; or a retail industry that experienced a 25% reduction in taxable sales in the month of April due to the public health emergency.
In addition to the original list of eligible businesses, below are the categories of small businesses that will be eligible under this expansion:
Caterers, Mobile Food Services, and Food Service Contractors
Wedding and Event Planners
Convention and Trade Show Organizers
Wedding and Banquet Hall and Similar Property Rental
Linen Supply Services
Photography Studios
Travel Agencies and Travel Arrangement Services
Car, Truck, Trailer, and RV Rental
Sightseeing and Tour Operators
Taxi, Limousine, Bus, and Other Transportation Services
Recreational Vehicle and Vacation Camps
Sports and Recreation Instruction
Fine Arts Instruction, Exam Prep, Driving Schools, and Other Similar Instruction
Motion Picture and Video Production and Distribution Services
Music Production, Distribution, and Publishing Services
Sound Recording Studios
The expansion list will also include, among others, the following businesses that are now eligible if their sales were reduced by at least 25%, as shown on their April sales tax returns (filed in May):
Florists
Party and Banquet Equipment and Other Supply Rental
Formal Wear and Costume Rental
Consumer Electronics and Appliances Rental
General Rental Centers and Other Consumer Goods Rental
Gasoline Stations and Convenience Stores
Warehouse Clubs and General Merchandise Stores
Home Centers, Hardware Stores, and Paint Stores
Household Appliance and Electronics Stores
Nurseries, Garden Centers, and Outdoor Power Equipment Stores
Pharmacies and Drug Stores
Optical Goods Stores
Cosmetics, Beauty Supply, and Perfume Stores
Supermarkets and Other Grocery Stores
Baked Goods and Other Specialty Food Stores
Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores
Food Supplement Stores
Vending Machine Operators
New and Used Car Dealers
Recreational Vehicle, Boat, and Other Vehicle Dealers
Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores
Tire Dealers
Online Stores (selling from a Tennessee location)
Other Direct Selling Establishments
A full list of and instructions for eligible businesses will be available from the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
Agriculture and Forestry Economic Relief – $50 million The Tennessee Department of Agriculture will establish an economic support program for agricultural businesses and forestry businesses to help ensure stability of the food supply chain and agribusiness economy. The department will accept applications for funding between August 17 through August 31 to make grant awards the week of September 14.
Tourism Industry Recovery Support – $25 million The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development will utilize $25,000,000 from the CRF to remarket and support the State’s tourism industry recovery from the public health emergency. Of the total funding, $15,000,000 will be directly designated for destination marketing organizations (DMOs) in all 95 counties.
Workforce Development – $9.5 million Tennessee will allocate $7.5 million to two established workforce development programs: Reemployment Service and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) Program Expansion and Career and Training Services, and $2 million to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Virtual American Jobs Center. These funds will provide reemployment services to a proposed 17,000 participants to return them to gainful, sustainable employment.
Front row L-R: Nathan Sanders, Travis Turney Back row L-R: Bruce Daniels, Brian Elrod and Javan Fann
Two Members of the Cannon County Board of Education have submitted letters of resignation to Chairman Javin Fann and Director of Cannon County Schools William F. Curtis. Resigning are District 2 School Board Member Travis Turney and District 5 School Board Member Brian Elrod.
2nd District School Board Member Travis Turney was elected to the Cannon County Board of Education inAugust 2018 and was in the middle of his first term. He stated in his notice of resignation to Chairman Fann and Director Curtis,
“Gentlemen,
Please accept this letter as notice of my formal resignation from the position as District 2 school board member, effective immediately, August 14, 2020.
I will provide a signed copy of this letter to Director Curtis in the coming days.
Thank you, Travis Turney”
5th District School Board Member Brian Elrod was also elected to the Cannon County Board of Education inAugust 2018 and was in the middle of his term. He recently moved out of District 5. Mr. Elrod stated in his notice of resignation to Chairman Fann and Director Curtis, “Good morning Mr. Curtis,
I wanted to formally announce my resignation from the District 5 school board seat. I have moved from this district and no longer feel I am the proper representative for this district. B.Elrod.”
Director of Cannon County Schools, Mr. William F. Curtis, stated, “
We sincerely appreciate the service of Mr. Travis Turney of District 2 and Mr. Brian Elrod of District 5. Cannon County Schools are appreciative of their efforts to improve our school system to achieve our MISSION – to ‘Prepare All Students for Their Future’ through our VISION – ‘E3 – Engaged in Excellence Every Day!’ They helped to develop both Mission and Vision and their passion for students and educators is to be commended. We are saddened by their departure, but are understanding of their reasons to move forward with their own journeys in life. We wish them both ‘All Our Very Best’ on behalf of all our Cannon County Schools’ Students, Educators, and Staffs.”
Director Curtis has informed other School Board Members, County Commission Chairman Greg Mitchell, County Executive Brent Bush, and Administrator of Elections Matt Teply today (August 14th, 2020) of the resignations of these two School Board Members. According to Administrator of Elections Teply, the following process will take place regarding the election of members to fulfill the remaining two years of the terms for the District 2 seat and District 5 seat on the Cannon County Board of Education; Interested candidates should come by the Election Commission Office, 301 W Main Street – Room #244, Woodbury, TN 37190, Bring a copy of their High School Diploma, and pick up a petition. The petition must be signed by 25 Registered Voters in the respective District. The petition must be returned by NOON on September 9th, 2020 to be eligible for their names to be placed on the Special Election Ballot for theNovember 3rd, 2020 Election. New elected members will take office after the election is certified and swearing in takes place.
Meanwhile, Cannon County Commission Chairman Greg Mitchell has placed these vacancies of the Cannon County Board of Education District 2 position and District 5 position, on the Agenda for the next meeting of the Cannon County Commission on Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 – 5:30 PM at the Cannon County Courthouse. Individuals interested in filling these interim School Board Member positions must live in District 2 or District 5 and discuss their interest with their County Commissioner. The full Cannon County Commission will vote for each position and those individuals approved will serve until the Special Election is held on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020 and the election is certified and new members sworn in.
Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49 – Education, Chapter 2 – Local Administration Part 2 – Boards of Education§ 49-2-202 – Members and meetings states:
(a)(1)Members of the board shall be residents and voters of the county in which they are elected and shall be citizens of recognized integrity, intelligence and ability to administer the duties of the office.
(2) No member of the county legislative body nor any other county official shall be eligible for election as a member of the county board of education.
(3)(i) Each member of the board of education who has a relative employed by the board shall declare such relationship prior to voting on any matter of business that shall have an effect upon the employment of the relative. In making the declaration, such board member shall certify that the vote that is about to be cast on the pending matter is in the best interest of the school system. Such matters shall include, but shall not be limited to, the school system annual budget, tenure considerations and personnel policies. The director of schools shall give notice to the board each time there is intent to employ a relative of a school board member. The director of schools of a county school system shall also give notice to the county school board each time there is intent to employ a relative of an elected county official. The director of schools of a city school system shall also give notice to the city school board each time there is intent to employ a relative of an elected city official. In giving such notice, the director of schools shall certify that the prospective employee is duly qualified by training and licensure to occupy the position.
(ii) As used in this subdivision (a)(3), unless the context otherwise requires, “relative” means a spouse, parent, parent-in-law, child, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, or any person who resides in the same household as any of the officials referenced in subdivision (a)(3)(i).
(iii) This subdivision (a)(3) shall not be construed to prohibit two (2) or more relatives from working for the LEA. If two (2) or more employees who are relatives are within the same direct line of supervision, or become within the same direct line of supervision by marriage or promotion, then the director of schools shall attempt to resolve this issue by transfer of one (1) of the employees. If the director finds that transfer is not feasible or is not in the best interest of students, then an alternate evaluation plan shall be devised for one (1) of the employees.
(4)No person shall be eligible to serve on the board unless the person is a bona fide resident of the county and has a practical education; provided, that beginning on October 1, 1990, except in counties having a population of: Click here to view image. according to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent federal census, no person shall qualify as a candidate for a position on a county board of education until the person has filed with the county election commission proof that the candidate graduated from high school or received a GED[(R)], evidenced by a diploma or other documentation satisfactory to the commission. Any person serving on a school board as ofOctober 1, 1990, shall be allowed to continue to serve and to seek reelection or reappointment to one (1) additional term even though the person may not have graduated from high school or received a GED[(R)].
(5) If any member ceases to reside in the county, the office of the member shall become vacant.
(6) All board members shall be properly trained during their service on the board of education. The minimum requirements for this training shall be established by the state board of education and shall include an annual session for all board members.
(b)All members of the local board of education shall take oath to discharge faithfully the duties of the office.
(c) It is the duty of the board of education to:
(1) Hold regular meetings at least quarterly for the purpose of transacting public school business; provided, that the chair may call special meetings whenever in the chair’s judgment the interest of the public schools requires it, or when requested to do so by a majority of the board. The chair or the chair’s designee shall give reasonable notice of the time and location of all meetings to the president of the local education association or the president’s designee; and
(2) Elect one (1) of its members as chair annually.
(d) The compensation of members of the county board shall be fixed by the county legislative body for their services when attending regular and special meetings and discharging the duties imposed by this title; provided, that the county trustee shall pay no voucher issued to members unless the voucher has been approved by the county mayor; and provided, further, that no member of any board shall receive less than four dollars ($4.00) per day for the member’s services.
(e)(1)When a vacancy occurs, the unexpired term shall be filled at the next regular meeting of the county legislative body or at a special meeting of the county legislative body.
(2) Vacancies shall be declared to exist, on account of death, resignation or removal from the county.
(3) A temporary absence of a county board member to serve in the military shall not constitute a vacancy in office and such absence shall not be subject to the requirements of § 8-48-205(5).
(f) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the board of education for each LEA that operates one (1) or more high schools may annually select, prior to commencement of the new school year, no less than four (4) high school students to serve as advisory, nonvoting members of the board. One half (1/2) of the students so selected shall be enrolled in the college preparatory track and one half (1/2) of the students so selected shall be enrolled in the technology track. The students shall serve without compensation but may, at the discretion of the board, be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred while engaged in board business.
(g) A majority of all of the members constituting the board, and not merely a majority of the quorum, shall be required to transact all business coming before the board in regular or special meetings.
