News

Tennessee now has a roadmap for both high school football and girls’ soccer in the fall.

Convening its Board of Control Wednesday in Murfreesboro, the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) approved measures to outline the potential for a nearly complete football and girls’ soccer season.

The league also adopted unanimously its COVID-19 guidelines and procedures required of all member institutions who wish to compete in all athletics in the 2020-21 calendar school year.

A full copy of the regulations and fall sports rules modifications can be found on the TSSAA website.

“The regulations and guidelines the Board passed today go into effect immediately for all sports,” said Bernard Childress, Executive Director of the TSSAA. “We’re hopeful that the prohibition on contact sports will be lifted before August 29, but if it’s not, the Board of Control has put some policies in place to help keep our kids and communities safe and lay out a roadmap to the start of our football and girls’ soccer seasons.”

What the association does not yet have is an exact start date for competitions. The reasoning there is fairly straightforward: Tennessee high schools and their athletics programs, as well as myriad other entities, cannot begin practices and/or games in contact sports under Gov. Bill Lee’s current State of Emergency Order. Executive Order No. 50 promotes “social distancing and avoidance of large gatherings” and limits activities in contact sports.

“We are working hand-in-hand with the Governor’s Office,” Childress said. “Everything presented today has been vetted by the Governor’s Office, agreed upon by their legal counsel and by our legal counsel.

“The governor’s (executive order) is still in place. We cannot do anything right now other than weightlifting, conditioning, heat acclimation periods with no contact. This is not TSSAA vs. the Governor’s Office. Everything has been a joint effort and we are not in conflict. Our goal is to have an ordinary season as much as possible.”

For football’s “Option 2 Hybrid” plan, the state preserves the potential for an 10-game regular season and full playoff format, but also lays the groundwork for what could become an eight-game season with a reduced playoff field for Division I.

The plan perhaps is most succinctly summarized as thus: Once the state of Tennessee reaches the date of August 4 and the governor’s executive order declaring a State of Emergency still stands, region games originally scheduled for Week 1 of the prep football season will be moved to later, common dates that TSSAA already has modeled. As each week passes where no contact is allowed, the next week’s region games are rescheduled.

For Greg McCullough, Memphis Central principal and TSSAA Board of Control vice president, keeping schools’ schedules nearly intact was a strong positive. The original Plan 2, as conceived, would have gutted all schedules statewide and left coaches scrambling to fill multiple open dates.

“Just my personal opinion, but having lived that scheduling nightmare already, this makes sense to me, but it needs to be explained well to coaches. This allows a better option for all schools and gives a chance for schools to play as many games as they can possibly get.”

Now, with a vote on the Option 2 Hybrid, there is a potential start date in place and a plan for the season to begin as early as Aug. 21 or as late as Sept. 18.

The TSSAA already had modeled how it would handle the potentially affected region games slated for the original opening week of the season with the following example:

William Blount and Maryville High School are scheduled to play each other at the onset of the season; both teams have non-region games in Week 7. The Govs are set to play Elizabethton while Maryville is scheduled to face Knoxville powerhouse Fulton. Maryville and William Blount, under the Option 2 Hybrid, would then face each other Week 7. Elizabethton and Fulton could work to play each other, find another game or have an open date. Only region games are mandatory.

“As of this past Monday, football teams were permitted to begin their heat acclimatization, which can be done without contact,” said Richard McWhirter, TSSAA Assistant Executive Director. “Understanding though, that heat acclimatization is ‘per athlete,’ I recommend that schools get students’ acclimatization done as soon as possible. Athletes that have completed acclimatized by the time the contact order is lifted are then ready to begin full contact practice.”

The board also tackled how to handle a COVID-19 breakout as it pertains to competition in both the regular and postseason. A regular-season game becomes a win for seeding purposes if the opposing team can’t play due to COVID-19, but the team struck with illness would receive neither a win nor a loss. If both teams confront outbreaks of the virus, it is considered a “no-contest.”

Additionally, for all sports and not merely the upcoming fall divisions of cross country, golf, volleyball, football and girls’ soccer, the TSSAA and its board voted unanimously to allow students whose school systems are beginning with remote instruction to still be allowed as full participants in all sports.

On the girls’ soccer front, in an effort to maximize the number of games and opportunities for competition, the TSSAA adopted a measure to begin the season September 7 — if Gov. Lee’s order is lifted after its current August 29 expiration date — with a regular season spanning eight weeks from beginning to end and championships set for Nov. 11-14. If the order is lifted prior to Aug. 10, the season and championships will proceed as usual with no changes.

Additionally, the organization voted to allow girls’ soccer teams that either do not qualify for postseason or which are eliminated prior to the championships to schedule additional games, up to the maximum number, in order to achieve a full season of competition. This builds in some flexibility in the event multiple matches are cancelled or postponed in the season due to the virus.

“This gives schools the chance for the maximum number of playing regular-season contests,” said TSSAA Assistant Director Mark Reeves. “We will continue allowing schools to play regular-season games even after eliminated or failing to qualify for the postseason. They are not to exceed that number (10) but at least they have the opportunity to get to it.”

See the complete sports regulations, rules modifications and contingency plans on the Tennessee Returns To Play page at TSSAA.org.

Today Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group announced $150 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds will be made available to Tennessee non-profits to assist their ongoing efforts to address the ongoing health and economic impacts of COVID-19.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has placed enormous strain on all aspects of our society, and non-profit organizations are no different. Non-profits play a vital role in ensuring Tennesseans’ needs are met in times of crisis, and it’s imperative these organizations receive financial support to continue their work,” said Gov. Lee. “The Tennessee Community CARES Program will help alleviate the duress non-profits are under and ensure they continue to support their communities.”

“Tennessee’s non-profit community has been on the frontlines of this pandemic from the beginning,” said Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge). “Non-profits consistently amplify the state’s efforts in addressing Tennessee’s explicit needs during the COVID crisis. They are also critical in filling the gaps by caring for those who have been indirectly affected by the virus. I am extremely grateful we will be using these funds to help bolster the community’s efforts to assist our people in this time of need.”

“Tennessee’s non-profits are vital business partners within our state that provide economic stimulus and critical resources for our local communities,” said House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville). “I am pleased to join with Gov. Lee, Lt. Gov. McNally, as well as our members to provide additional support to these organizations and agencies during the pandemic through the Tennessee Community CARES Program. Partnering with our non-profits will enable them to remain focused on their important roles for the benefit of our state and our people. This is a strong message that we are all working together now, and we will continue to do so, after the pandemic subsides.”

“Before the pandemic arrived, our state was already working closely with non-profit organizations to create valuable partnerships that provide families with full wrap around support,” said Tennessee Department of Human Services Commissioner Danielle W. Barnes. “This additional grant assistance will allow us to expand these partnerships to meet new challenges created by COVID-19 and continue our mission to build a thriving Tennessee.”

The Tennessee Community CARES Program will provide $150 million in direct federally funded aid to non-profit organizations located in Tennessee and serving Tennesseans. Examples of activities prioritized and encouraged for funding under this program will include:

• Support for school-aged children and families related to education needs created or exacerbated by the COVID-19 outbreak;
• Any of the following activities for individuals or families who have been impacted by a loss of income or economic insecurity as a result of COVID-19:
  • Workforce training;
  • Emergency food assistance;
  • Case management or assistance in accessing an eligible state or federal public benefit;
  • Care for at-risk or vulnerable populations to mitigate COVID-19 effects and/or enable compliance with COVID-19 public health precautions;
  • Emergency financial assistance to prevent homelessness, eviction or foreclosure;
  • Other similar services designed to mitigate the negative health or economic impact of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
• Providing uncompensated care or assistance for disabled or other vulnerable population to address new financial, health, or educational challenges that are in response to COVID-19.
• Public Health Support activities such as uncompensated or unreimbursed costs for services or activities dedicated to mitigating or responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency, including but not limited to:
  • Supports, education, and communication for individuals to increase access to testing and reliability of contact tracing;
  • Expenses for technical assistance on mitigation of COVID-19-related threats;
  • Expenses for acquisition and distribution of medical and protective supplies, including sanitizing products and personal protective equipment, for medical personnel, police officers, social workers, child protection services, and child welfare officers, direct service providers for older adults and individuals with disabilities in community settings, and other public health or safety workers in connection with the COVID-19 public health emergency;
  • Mental and behavioral health services delivered in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency;
  • Expenses associated with supporting the housing or quarantining of COVID-19 positive individuals;
  • Any other expense incurred in relation to non-profit missions to directly support the public health response to COVID-19.
• Any other non-profit support provided to Tennessee business entities such as:
  • Technical assistance and support in enrolling and participating in a federal, state, or local benefit program;
  • Education on safe practices in response to COVID-19;
  • Acquisition or purchase of personal protective equipment or reimbursing costs associated with mitigating the spread of COVID-19;
  • Expenses related to mitigating the spread of COVID-19;
• Reimbursement of unreimbursed expenses incurred by a non-profit due to the COVID19 emergency, including but not limited to increased payroll costs, PPE, or any other measures taken to protect the employees and population served by the non-profit;
• Support targeted for any at-risk, vulnerable, or underserved community for any eligible activity;
• Past and future reimbursement for the required Non-Federal Cost-Share of Stafford Act assistance for COVID-19-related costs that satisfy the CRF eligibility criteria AND the FEMA Public Assistance eligibility criteria;
• Reimbursement for any of the eligible costs incurred in the period from March 1 to Dec. 30;

To administer these funds, the Department of Human Services is announcing an invitation for partner non-profits to serve as grant administrators. Grant administrators will be required to submit a proposal to the Department no later than 12 p.m. CDT, Thursday, July 23 describing their ability to administer sub-grants to eligible non-profits. More details and submission instructions can be found here.

For non-profits wishing to receive response and recovery grants to provide direct services, instructions for grant proposals will be issued by the Department of Human Services and its partner non-profit grant administrators on August 1, 2020. Grant applications will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis with monthly reporting requirements and a de-obligation date of November 15.

The Financial Stimulus Accountability Group is a bi-partisan group including Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, House Speaker Cameron Sexton, Sen. Raumesh Akbari, Sen. Bo Watson, Rep. Harold Love, Rep. Pat Marsh, Comptroller Justin Wilson and Finance and Administration Commissioner Butch Eley.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group have announced an additional $115 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds will be made available to local governments to offset costs incurred from responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This pandemic has required a high level of coordination and support across all levels of government to ensure local needs are met and the health and wellbeing of Tennesseans are protected,” said Gov. Lee. “The Financial Stimulus Accountability Group has provided another round of funding as we work to reduce any financial barriers in COVID-19 response.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has presented our local governments with unique challenges specific to the needs of their people. Giving local governments control over how to spend these dollars maximizes efficiency and ensures this money is deployed in the most effective way possible,” said Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge). “As we adjust to the new normal of living and working with COVID-19, it is important that local governments have the resources they need to attack the virus and address the issues it creates.”

“Directing additional funds to local governments will ensure they can continue to effectively meet the needs of their residents,” said House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville). “Covid-19 related decisions and expenses whether in healthcare, education, or in other areas will be with us for the foreseeable future. I appreciate Gov. Lee, Lt. Gov. McNally, and our members for their partnership and commitment as we continue identifying solutions and working with all Tennesseans to address both our emerging needs, and those that will still remain after the pandemic.”

The Tennessee Local Government Reimbursement Program comes in addition to the $210 million in grants for county and municipal governments approved by the General Assembly in the State’s FY 2021 budget

The Financial Stimulus Accountability Group is a bi-partisan group including Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, House Speaker Cameron Sexton, Sen. Raumesh Akbari, Sen. Bo Watson, Rep. Harold Love, Rep. Pat Marsh, Comptroller Justin Wilson and Finance and Administration Commissioner Butch Eley.

Tennessee’s Financial Stimulus Accountability Group has overseen the distribution of hundreds of millions of federal and state dollars to local governments. Resources provided to-date are found below:

Coronavirus Relief Fund

Tennessee Local Government Reimbursement Program

The State of Tennessee has reserved $115 million of their allocation from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) to be further allocated to eligible local governments on a per capita basis.

Expenses should fall within one of the following categories:

• Medical Expenses
• Public Health Expenses
• Payroll Expenses Related to COVID-19
• Public Health Compliance Expenses
• Other Reasonably Necessary Expenses Incurred in Response to the COVID-19 public
• Health emergency.

Funds from the CRF may not be used to replace lost government revenue. Funds also may not be used for expenses that have been or will be reimbursed under any other federal programs.

These funds will be reserved for local governments that did not receive a direct Coronavirus Relief Fund appropriation. Memphis, Shelby County, and Nashville have already received a combined $284 million that was subtracted from the State of Tennessee’s allocation.

For local governments that did receive a direct Coronavirus Relief Fund appropriation, the State

of Tennessee will facilitate a planning process in coordination with the Financial Stimulus

Accountability Group to identify and plan for any necessary costs that may be uncovered by the

direct appropriation.

Local Cost-Share for FEMA Public Assistance

The State has also budgeted $75 million to cover the 25% non-federal cost-share for FEMA public assistance to local government entities. This is inclusive of the state covering local government’s 12.5% share. If fully utilized, this would result in an additional cost-savings to local governments seeking public assistance of $37.5 million.

Health

The Tennessee Department of Health continues additional support to non-state health departments in a variety of ways during the COVID-19 pandemic, listed below. These efforts augment the $160 million and $120 million allocated directly to Shelby County and Davidson County, respectively, through the CARES Act.

Epidemiology & Laboratory Capacity Detection Grants

• Knox County – $7.1 million
• Hamilton County – $5.6 million
• Sullivan County – $3.3 million
• Madison County – $2.8 million
• Total – $18.8 million

Contract staff support

Metro health departments have utilized contract staffing supported by the state in the amount of $1.2M.

Laboratory Testing Support

Below is a rounded summary of lab costs supported by the state for metro health department and special event testing:

• Davidson – $357,500 (Health Department, Special Event)
• Hamilton – $318,100 (Health Department, County Jail, Special Event)
• Knox – $183,800 – (Health Department, Special Event)
• Sullivan – $166,400 (Health Department)
• Shelby – $63,100 (Special Event)
• Total: $1,088,900

The department is awaiting invoices for work performed during the month of June that could increase these amounts.

Education

The State has provided $11 million for grants to local education agencies (LEA) to support reopening efforts from the Coronavirus Relief Fund Grants. An additional $50 million will be made available to support technology grants that can be used on wi-fi devices, laptops, or any other devices needed to support reopening.

LEA Reopening and Programmatic Supports – $11 million

Reopening grants are noncompetitive grants to support cohorts of districts with continuous learning plan implementation throughout the year in amounts ranging from $25,000 – $150,000 each.

District Technology Grants – $50M

These grants support district device strategies as necessary components to implement distance learning. The Tennessee Department of Education will launch a noncompetitive grant program managed through TDOE ePlan that allows for a match program.

More information regarding K-12 grants, including how to apply for the funding, will be provided directly by the Tennessee Department of Education to districts through their ePlan login.

Director of Cannon County Schools – Mr. William F. Curtis would like to inform the Cannon County Community regarding reopening plans for the 2020-2021 School Year. Director Curtis released a Preliminary Reopening Framework on Friday, July 17^th, 2020, and the full Continuous Learning Plan (CLP) will be considered and voted on at a Special Called Meeting of the Cannon County Board of Education on Thursday, July 23^rd, 2020 – 6:30 PM and will be uploaded to the Tennessee Department of Education the following day – Friday, July 24^th, 2020.

Director Curtis stated, “Cannon County Schools Personnel have had a VERY busy Summer 2020.  This past School Year 2019-2020 saw multiple closings of our Cannon County School buildings for on-campus instruction since March 13^th, 2020.  First, let me say that our Mission – ‘Preparing ALL Students for their Future’ continues forward even in the middle of a pandemic of COVID-19.  Secondly, that our Vision – ‘The New E3 – Engaged in Excellence Every Day’ is our guide in ALL that we do for students, educators, and staff at all levels.  And thirdly, that Cannon County Schools number one, priority GOAL is to ‘Provide a safe and supportive learning environment.’  This Goal of the Cannon County Board of Education and Cannon County Schools is on our mind and in our hearts during this reopening process.”

“Our Reopening Task Force has been working on this process for the past several weeks and members include all stakeholders including Cannon County Schools’ personnel – Administrators, Principals, Teachers, Community Health Care Providers, local Cannon County Health Department Officials, and other Community Members.  The Task Force is composed of Four (4) Sub-Committees: Physical Health/Safety, Academics, Transportation, Sanitation, and Budget/Governance, as well as the Full Committee.  We have been seeking Public Stakeholder Input with a survey sent out on June 23^rd, 2020 via multiple media and social media outlets.  887 responses were recorded and examined by each of the Task Force subcommittees.  These committees will be submitting their final reports and recommendations the Week of July 20^th, 2020 and the Full Committee’s recommendation to the Cannon County Board of Education at the July 23^rd, 2020 Special Called Meeting of the Board.” 

“Our students’ safety and well-being as we reopen Cannon County Schools is at the forefront of this reopening process, and we thank parents/guardians for their patience.  We have been extremely deliberate in this process observing fellow school systems in the Upper Cumberland Region and surrounding areas and have been evaluating various plans and scenarios.  We have been in constant communication with the Tennessee Department of Education and the local/regional Tennessee Department of Health.  We have also had access and analysis of multiple “toolkits” provided by the Tennessee Department of Education regarding the various sections of our work – e.g. Physical Health, Governance, Technology, Transportation, Finance, etc.. As a result of all of this process will be the “Continuous Learning Plan (CLP).”  A major first part of this plan is the Cannon County Schools Reopening Framework – Preliminary Draft.”

Director Curtis further stated, “The Reopening Framework is composed of three levels – Level Green, Level Yellow, and Level Red.  These levels will be determined by the County Active Case Rate of COVID-19 to be determined by the Tennessee Department of Health.  As of this moment (Friday, July 17^th, 2020), we will be opening Cannon County Schools in Level Green – Traditional Opening of Schools.  The schedule will be: All students/staff in physical buildings on regular schedule with Breakfast and Lunch being served.  Health and Safety Protocols being used are:  Daily temperature checks for all staff/students; Emphasis on social distancing; Enhanced hand washing and cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing of building and buses; Limited visitors to building (appointments needed); Masks Strongly Recommended; and Masks required on Morning Bus Routes.  Academic Teaching and Learning Delivery will be through Regular Classroom Instruction.” 

“Parents/Guardians may choose ‘On-Campus Delivery of Instruction’ or may apply for a ‘Distance Learning Option’ for their students.  An application is available on the Cannon County Board of Education website at ccstn.net.  This application must be completed and sent back to the Board of Education Central Office by 3:00 PM on July 31^st, 2020. Completed applications should be emailed to Cannon County Schools Data Administrator, Lisa Black at the following email address: Lisa.Black@ccstn.net.   Enrollment into the Cannon County Virtual Instruction Program requires a 9-week minimum commitment. Each student MUST have access to the internet for at least 7 hours per day, per child. Assignments, online communication and collaboration, research and access to online resources is required and will be graded. Student MUST be enrolled in Cannon County Schools.”

“If conditions warrant as determined by the Tennessee Department of Health, Cannon County Schools could go to Level Yellow – Blended Learning. The proposed schedule under this level will be: A/B Model for learning; Some students in physical building and some learning remotely/virtual; and Breakfast and lunch served.  Health and Safety Protocols proposed being used at this level are:  Same protocols as in the Traditional Learning plan = Daily temperature checks for all staff/students; Emphasis on social distancing; Enhanced hand washing and cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing of building and buses; Limited visitors to building (appointments needed); Masks Strongly Recommended; and Masks required on Morning Bus Routes. Academic Teaching and Learning Delivery will be through: Regular classroom instruction on days at school and remote/virtual learning on days not present at school; Instruction provided by Google Classroom and software programs; Teachers available remotely to assist; and Devices necessary and provided as needed.”

“If conditions decline as determined by the Tennessee Department of Health, Cannon County Schools could go to Level Red – Virtual/Remote Learning.  The proposed schedule under this level will be: All students learning remotely/virtually; Meals served per available funding.  Health and Safety Protocols proposed being used at this level are: Daily temperature checks for staff working in Schools and/or Meal Distribution Sites.  Academic Teaching and Learning Delivery will be through: Instruction provided by Google Classroom and software programs; Teachers available remotely to assist; and Devices necessary and provided as needed.”

“The above is a Cannon County Schools Reopening Framework – PRELIMINARY DRAFT and will be VOTED ON by the Cannon County Board of Education at a Special Called Meeting on Thursday, July 23^rd, 2020 – 6:30 PM in the Cafeteria of Woodbury Grammar School, 530 West Adams Street, Woodbury, TN 37190.  The Board will take into consideration the entire ‘Continuous Learning Plan’ as well as the report from the Reopening Task Force.  ALL Plans are subject to Board Action and changes as warranted.  Detailed Reopening Instructions are currently being examined and will be issued to the Cannon County Community on Friday, July 24^th, 2020 following Cannon County Board of Education approval.  Employee Training and In-Service will be conducted at each individual school with each School Principal facilitating the training.  Staff were sent an In-service Schedule earlier this month.”   

Director Curtis concluded, “We sincerely appreciate all the hard work and dedication of our excellent staff and further the patience of ALL our Cannon County Schools family – students, parents/guardians, educators, and staff during this unprecedented time in Cannon County Schools’ history.  Cannon County Schools must follow State of Tennessee Department of Education guidelines, as well as, the Tennessee Department of Health and CDC protocols.  We sincerely appreciate your support for all of our schools.”

The Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency (UCHRA) is seeking community input from Cannon and the other 13-counties of the Upper Cumberland region as part of the annual Community Needs Assessment. 

Now through the end of the month of July, UCHRA will be asking citizens, stakeholders, and community partners to complete a brief, anonymous survey. The survey lists nine questions tailored to determine what community members see as the biggest needs within the community; including the identification of any service gaps and identifying populations within the community that have unmet needs that UCHRA could assist with. The survey also provides an opportunity for respondents to provide additional information.

“The surveys are a very important part of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and we utilize that information to complete a required needs assessment for CSBG,” said LaNelle Godsey, Community Services Director. “We really want to make sure that our programs are meeting the needs of the community. By having community partners complete surveys, this is one way we are meeting this goal.”

While the CSBG Act requires the distribution of a Community Needs Assessment, the questionnaire provides an opportunity for UCHRA to work toward addressing service gaps, needs, and opportunities within the region.

The survey is available to be completed online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/UCCommunityNeedsAssessment2020 until July 31, 2020. For more information, or to volunteer to take part in focus groups surrounding the needs of the Upper Cumberland Region,  please contact LaNelle Godsey, Community Services Director, or Megan Spurgeon, Community Services Assistant Director, at (931) 528-1127.

Early voting for the Tennessee State and Federal Primary and County General Election begins Friday, July 17, and runs Monday to Saturday until Saturday, August 1. Election Day is Thursday, August 6.

“The safety of voters and poll officials are our top priority,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “With social distancing measures and many other safety precautions in place for this election, I urge voters to take advantage of Tennessee’s generous early voting period.”

Early voting provides Tennesseans the opportunity to avoid Election Day crowds and can shorten your wait time. Early voting also offers the flexibility of evenings and Saturdays along with multiple polling locations in many counties.

During early voting and on Election Day, Tennesseans are encouraged to do their part. This includes wearing a face covering and maintaining a six-foot distance from poll officials and other voters. Voters should expect to see signs with further safety instructions at their polling locations. All poll officials will be wearing face coverings and will be trained to social distancing measures.

“County election commissions have been planning for a safe and secure election for months,” said Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins. As part of our commitment to safety, the state is providing masks, social distancing resources, gloves, gowns and face shields for poll officials.”

Tennesseans can find early voting and Election Day polling locations, view and mark sample ballots and much more with the GoVoteTN app or online at GoVoteTN.com. You can download the GoVoteTN app for free in the App Store or Google Play. Reviewing your sample ballot and deciding how you will vote will reduce your time at the polls.

Voters who have moved within the county or have had a name change since the last time they voted can update their registration online at GoVoteTN.com. By making sure your registration is up to date, you can shorten the time you will need to spend at your polling location.

Tennesseans voting early or on Election Day should remember to bring valid photo identification with them to the polls. A driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, by Tennessee state government or by the federal government are acceptable even if they are expired. College student IDs are not acceptable.

More information about what types of ID are acceptable can be found on GoVoteTN.com or by calling the Division of Elections toll-free 1-877-850-4959.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is taking steps to ensure parents are able to receive a program designed to help them feed their children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Applications will be accepted online for the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program here until Monday, July 27 at 4:30 P.M. Central Time.  This is the second time TDHS has extended the application deadline and the department has expanded its outreach efforts to encourage more families to apply.

P-EBT provides parents with $5.70 in food benefits per child for each day that child qualifies.  To be eligible, children must receive free or reduced meals at school or attend a Community Eligibility Provision school.  The program is designed to replace meals lost during the months of March, April, and May due to COVID-19 school closures.

Families who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) do not need to apply as P-EBT benefits have automatically been applied to their existing EBT cards.

Families who do not currently receive SNAP or TANF need to apply and will receive a P-EBT card in the mail after approval that can be used to purchase food at any establishment that accepts EBT or online with Amazon and Walmart.  Approval times can be delayed by inaccurate or incomplete information on the application so families are encouraged to double check all names and addresses to make sure they match what their children’s schools will have on file.

This coming week more than 70,000 children will be approved for P-EBT and if a family’s case is pending, they’re encouraged to recheck the status of their case online in the coming days. As of today, benefits have either been mailed or applied to existing EBT cards to serve roughly 380,000 children across Tennessee.  

“The P-EBT program is providing important support parents need to feed their children during this unprecedented time,” said TDHS Commissioner Danielle W. Barnes.  “We extended the application deadline a second time to ensure every family who qualifies for these benefits is aware of the opportunity and has plenty of time to apply.  Providing parents and children with the resources they need now will help build a thriving Tennessee when the COVID-19 pandemic ends.”

Individuals who need assistance completing their P-EBT application or have general questions about the program are encouraged to call the TDHS hotline at 1-833-496-0661.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act authorized the U.S. Department of Agriculture to approve states for Pandemic EBT (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.                                                                                      

Cannon County Board of Education has asked the County Commission to add two ballot issues which would benefit the school system of Cannon County. Those requests were on the agenda for commissioners this past weekend.

The Sales Tax increase will be placed on the ballot for the citizens to vote on. It would raise the sales tax by one (1) cent. By statue, the school system gets half of all sales tax money collected to help fund schools. The other half is split between solid waste and the county general fund.

The motion passed by a vote of 8-1.

Cannon County currently has a lower sales tax rate than of all of its adjoining counties.

The Wheel Tax increase was discussed and was tabled.  Commissioners requested more information prior to bringing the question to a vote. Questions included: What is the actual increase amount being suggested? Also, concern over the exact wording of the resolution that citizens will consider.  This ensures legally how the money will be spent and how long the tax will last.

The Commission requested legal advice and is requesting assistance from the Administrator of Elections Matt Teply. The concern is the language correct before we proceed.  

This issue will most likely re-appear on the commission’s agenda in August.

Tennessee farmers who want to access additional markets and increase food safety can now do so with less expense. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) will reimburse qualified producers who become Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certified. These producers can get 75% of the GAP certification inspection reimbursed, up to $1,500. That is, double the amount available last year.

“We’re proud to further support producers in Tennessee through this cost share opportunity,” Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M.  said. “The certification can lead to increased farmer income and ensures fruits and vegetables are produced, packed, and stored safely to minimize food safety hazards.”

GAP certification allows producers to sell directly to customers with stringent food safety requirements, such as large grocery stores, hospitals, and universities that require this food safety benchmark.

“This cost share offset the certification fee for my greenhouse operation and opened the door to new opportunities,” Kevin McClung, co-owner of ZMac Farms LLC in Dickson said. “GAP certification enables me to serve additional businesses that require this high standard. The increase in the reimbursement is significant to all farmers especially now during this challenging economic environment.”

The application period closes Oct. 31, 2020. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost share program is only for producers; warehouses and distributors are not eligible. Funding for the GAP cost share program is made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Services Specialty Crop Block Grant program.

You can find information and the cost share application at www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/produce-nursery/GAP or by emailing Grant Pulse at grant.pulse@tn.gov.

Early voting for the Tennessee State and Federal Primary and County General Election begins Friday, July 17, and runs Monday to Saturday until Saturday, August 1. Election Day is Thursday, August 6.

“The safety of voters and poll officials are our top priority,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “With social distancing measures and many other safety precautions in place for this election, I urge voters to take advantage of Tennessee’s generous early voting period.”

Early voting provides Tennesseans the opportunity to avoid Election Day crowds and can shorten your wait time. Early voting also offers the flexibility of evenings and Saturdays along with multiple polling locations in many counties.

During early voting and on Election Day, Tennesseans are encouraged to do their part. This includes wearing a face covering and maintaining a six-foot distance from poll officials and other voters. Voters should expect to see signs with further safety instructions at their polling locations. All poll officials will be wearing face coverings and will be trained to social distancing measures.

“County election commissions have been planning for a safe and secure election for months,” said Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins. As part of our commitment to safety, the state is providing masks, social distancing resources, gloves, gowns and face shields for poll officials.”

Tennesseans can find early voting and Election Day polling locations, view and mark sample ballots and much more with the GoVoteTN app or online at GoVoteTN.com. You can download the GoVoteTN app for free in the App Store or Google Play. Reviewing your sample ballot and deciding how you will vote will reduce your time at the polls.

Voters who have moved within the county or have had a name change since the last time they voted can update their registration online at GoVoteTN.com. By making sure your registration is up to date, you can shorten the time you will need to spend at your polling location.

Tennesseans voting early or on Election Day should remember to bring valid photo identification with them to the polls. A driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, by Tennessee state government or by the federal government are acceptable even if they are expired. College student IDs are not acceptable.

More information about what types of ID are acceptable can be found on GoVoteTN.com or by calling the Division of Elections toll-free 1-877-850-4959.