News

Cannon County Rescue Squad expands abilities with two new pieces of life-saving equipment.  The new equipment included the world-famous Hurst Jaws-of-Life^®.  The equipment was donated through a generous grant by the Gary Sinise Foundation. 

Bobby George, Director of Outreach at the Gary Sinise Foundation, said, “Part of our mission at the Gary Sinise Foundation is to serve and fiercely protect those who so courageously defend and protect our nation. First responders like Cannon County Rescue Squad are absolutely indispensable to the safety of local communities. We are proud to provide the necessary equipment so that these heroes can perform at the best of their abilities and further protect the citizens of Cannon County and Middle Tennessee.”

The Hurst Rescue Company patented the first rescue tool system over 45 years ago, and they haven’t stopped innovating since.  The EWXT rescue tools (received on the grant by the Cannon County Rescue Squad) are the first of their kind.  They allow rescuers to operate the tool submerged in water, unencumbered by hoses or power units.  Despite their unique skill, they’re still the fastest, most powerful tools in the business.

Michael Underhill, CEO and Captain for the Rescue Squad said, “We are an all-volunteer team with limited financial resources, and this is a game changer for our organization.  The funding from the Gary Sinise Foundation has allowed us to accelerate our 5-year strategic plan to update our equipment. We are grateful to the Gary Sinise Foundation for making such a substantial gift to our rural communities.”       

For more information on becoming a volunteer responder with the Cannon County Rescue Squad, Inc., visit our website at CannonCountyRescue.com.  To follow us on Facebook, like our page Facebook.com/CannonCountyRescue and follow us on Instagram @CannonCountyRescue

ABOUT THE GARY SINISE FOUNDATION

The Gary Sinise Foundation was established under the philanthropic direction of actor Gary Sinise, an advocate of our nation’s defenders for nearly forty years. Our mission is to serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. We do this through a number of national and local programs, funded by the generosity of the Foundation’s 75,000+ donors. These programs—designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities—serve America’s heroes and their loved ones 365 days a year. Learn more: www.garysinisefoundation.org

Today, Governor Bill Lee provided an update on Tennessee’s efforts regarding COVID-19 relief.

Gov. Lee’s daily press conferences can be viewed live each day this week at 3 p.m. CDT here. Gov. Lee has also established a website specific to COVID-19 updates which can be found here.

Administration Actions

Executive Order 23 – Requiring Tennesseans to Remain at Home

Gov. Lee will sign Executive Order 23 requiring that Tennesseans stay home unless they are carrying out essential activities as data shows an increase in citizen movement across the state.

Data from the Tennessee Department of Transportation analyzed traffic patterns for March 2020. While safer at home measures and further restrictions on businesses showed a steep drop-off in vehicle movement from March 13-29, data beginning on March 30 indicates travel is trending upwards, again.

The Administration also analyzed data from Unacast to understandcell phone mobility and determine movement trends among people. Unacast indicates the movement of Tennesseans is trending toward pre-COVID-19 levels.

The executive order remains in effect until April 14, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Additional information is available here.

Surge Capacity

Today, FEMA approved Tennessee’s COVID-19 major disaster declaration. This accelerates efforts to work with the US Army Corps of Engineers and expand statewide capacity by an additional 7,000 beds. 

The Corps of Engineers is working for FEMA and in partnership with Tennessee in responding to this crisis.  Through Tennessee’s partnership with the Corps of Engineers, the state is assessing sites across Tennessee to build capacity and create Alternate Healthcare Facilities.

• The Music City Center in downtown Nashville will be transformed into a COVID Positive Non-Acute Alternate Healthcare Facility.  It will serve COVID patients who need hospital care, but do not require critical care. The current plan for the Music City Center is to provide more than 1600 Patient Care Spaces.
• In Memphis, the Corps will be constructing a COVID positive Non-Acute Alternate Healthcare facility at Gateway Shopping Center. Additional sites in Memphis are being actively assessed to ensure capacity in this hotspot is built up quickly and efficiently. 
• Chattanooga Convention Center and the Knoxville Expo Center will also serve as a COVID positive Non-Acute Alternate Healthcare facility.

While facilities are a key part of planning for a surge in COVID-19 patients, we must have staff available to care for these patients. All displaced or furloughed health care personnel are urged to register on the Tennessee Department of Health website here.

Current Department of Health Testing Results (as of 2 p.m. 4/2)

Laboratory Type	Positive Test	Negative Tests	Total
State PH Lab	282	1,804	2,086
Non-State PH Lab	2,563	29,962	32,525
Total	2,845	31,766	34,611

For more information on COVID-19 in Tennessee, please visit the Tennessee Department of Health’s website here.

Today, Governor Bill Lee provided an update on Tennessee’s efforts regarding COVID-19 relief.

Gov. Lee’s daily press conferences can be viewed live each day this week at 3 p.m. CDT here. Gov. Lee has also established a website specific to COVID-19 updates which can be found here.

Key Updates

National Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and all Tennesseans are encouraged to be vigilant during this time of seclusion and social distancing and to call the Child Abuse Hotline (1-877-237-0004) if they suspect any incidents of child abuse or neglect. Reports can also be made online at tn.gov/dcs or by using the MyTN app.

The Child Abuse Hotline continues to operate and has never been down during this crisis. The Department of Children’s Services hotline staff continue to follow the same protocols to ensure all reports of child abuse and neglect are screened and investigated. Child Protective Services investigators are continuing to conduct in-person visits as well. For more information go here.

Personal Protective Equipment Procurement

Unified Command Group has made significant gains in Tennessee’s efforts to secure personal protective equipment for health care workers and critical personnel across the state. More than 18,000,000 PPE items totaling over $45 million have been acquired.

Each of Tennessee’s 95 counties has received a shipment of PPE from Unified Command, with the vast majority of supplies continuing to be delivered to rural areas with Unified Command reporting 80-90% of supplies.

Tennessee has also reached a critical threshold with the creation of face shields through 3D printing efforts at higher education institutions – 10,000 face shields have been produced thus far with more on the way.

Surge Planning

Unified Command has worked with the Army Corps of Engineers to ensure Tennessee has thousands of additional hospital beds available should our health care institutions become overwhelmed by a surge in hospitalizations. These back up plans are actively being assessed in major cities in partnership with the Army Corps of Engineers and hospitals.

The state is also placing an urgent call to health care workers who are currently displaced or furloughed. Unified Command is launching a website for those individuals to sign up and be a part of our surge planning. Health care workers of all levels are encouraged to engage.

Administration Actions

Medicaid 1135 Waiver

TennCare has received approval for a 1135 waiver request to address any potential strain on Tennessee’s health care safety net and care for the uninsured.

With this waiver, Tennessee will gain several flexibilities targeted toward providers and designed to ensure sufficient health care services are available through this pandemic. Many of these flexibilities will be implemented immediately, with others implemented if and when needed.

For more information on TennCare actions related to COVID-19 go here. For more information on the approval of the 1135 waiver go here.

Woodbury Mayor Andy Duggin issued the following statement this morning.

We have been notified that a person who has very recently performed work within our building has tested positive for COVID-19. This person is NOT an employee of the Town of Woodbury.

The safety and health of our employees is our top priority, therefore the building will be closed for a professional deep cleaning and sanitizing.

We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience and we hope to be able to resume operating again as soon as possible.

If you have an emergency situation, please call 615-563-2388 and your call will be directed to an appropriate representative.

Again, thank you for your patience, and we look forward to serving you again soon.

Note: The lobby was closed earlier to the public following the COVID-19 announcement.

Today, Governor Bill Lee provided an update on Tennessee’s efforts regarding COVID-19 relief.

Gov. Lee’s daily press conferences can be viewed live each day this week at 3 p.m. CDT here. Gov. Lee has also established a website specific to COVID-19 updates which can be found here.

Key Updates

Statewide Safe at Home Order
Tonight at 11:59 p.m. the statewide safer at home order begins which restricts businesses that cannot possibly safely operate during COVID-19.  Businesse like barber shops, salons, recreational and entertainment outfits are to remain closed until April 14, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. The order, at the same time, provides for the continuation of essential businesses throughout every county. More information regarding essential businesses is available here. Tennesseans in non-essential roles are urged to stay at home during this time.

PPE Procurement and Distribution

25 companies and universities have made significant donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the State of Tennessee to assist health care workers and those on the front lines.

These donations, in conjunction with the aggressive supply procurement of Unified-Command has enabled the administration to connect with all 95 counties, assess needs and mobilize supplies. 

Companies and non-profits who are ready to help with supplies and other innovations are urged to contact Launch Tennessee. Since the announcement yesterday, Unified Command’s partnership with Launch Tennessee has already netted 100 companies who are willing to get to work in fighting this pandemic.

Data Communication

Unified Command in conjunction with the Department of Health will be releasing three new numbers in the daily reporting: negative results by county, projected number of patients who have recovered from COVID-19 and deaths identified by county. This information is available here.

Administration Actions

Mental Health Support

To serve individuals who need professional behavioral health help during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tennessee’s behavioral health providers and the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services have been working closely over recent weeks to ensure seamless delivery of services.

These groups have been working to expand telehealth services, implement daily conference calls to address needs as they arise, and increase collaboration to procure necessary PPE for front-line mental health workers who continue to interface with patients.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services has awarded Tennessee a grant to provide mobile behavioral health care units for rural counties in East and West Tennessee. These mobile units will expand services Tennessee provides through partnerships with non-profits. 

Tennessee’s front-line crisis services system is well-equipped to meet the needs of Tennesseans. Available resources include a 24-7 crisis phone line (855-CRISIS-1 or 855-274-7471), mobile crisis for both adults and children and youth, crisis walk-in centers, crisis stabilization units, and crisis respite.

To meet the ongoing/non-emergency mental health needs of Tennesseans who are uninsured and have no means to pay, the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and 15 community behavioral health providers offer the Behavioral Health Safety Net which meets the essential mental health needs of Tennesseans 18 years of age and older who are at or below 138% Federal Poverty Level.  These vital services are available in all 95 counties.

COVID-19 by the numbers….

The Tennessee Department of Health is reporting, 50 persons in Cannon County have had COVID-10 testing, of the 50, 47 were negative and 3 tested positive.

Statewide, 27,360 persons have been tested, 2,239 have tested positive.  In testing by age group, 21-30 year-olds is the largest group as of Tuesday with 566 testing positive.

The Cannon County UT Extension Office reminds hay producers of an important deadline.

TAEP Backordered Equipment Policy – Hay Equipment & Livestock Equipment Programs

Producers approved for Livestock Equipment and Hay Equipment were sent a letter in early March which included instructions for backorder situations. Producers with backordered equipment must submit reimbursement request by program deadline (postmarked no later than April 1, 2020).

The policy is outlined below:

• Equipment must be purchased between October 1, 2019 and April 1, 2020.
• Invoice/receipt must indicate:
• Business/vendor name, address, phone number
• Description of expense (make, model, serial# if applicable)
• Amount of purchase
• Date of purchase
• Indicate item is “backordered” on the invoice/receipt
• Indicate estimated delivery date
• Submit reimbursement request by program deadline (postmarked no later than April 1, 2020)
• After item is delivered to the farm, submit pictures of item to TAEP by email, mail, or text message
• Include your name, address, and TPN when submitting additional information to TAEP

Submitting TAEP Hay Equipment & Livestock Equipment Reimbursement Requests

Mail

Producers may mail their reimbursement request using the envelope included in their reimbursement packet. Producers are encouraged to make a copy of their reimbursement request and send using a traceable method (example – return receipt requested).

Reimbursement requests must be postmarked no later than April 1^st, 2020.

TAEP Online

Reimbursement requests may be uploaded electronically to the producer’s TAEP Online account.

1. Go to www.tn.gov/taep
2. Click on TAEP Online located on the menu on the left-hand side of the screen

• Log in button – for producers with existing accounts
• TAEP Producer Number (TPN) and password needed to log in
• Producer will receive a confirmation email for each uploaded document
• Set up TAEP Online Account button – for producers without an account
• Producers will need their TAEP Producer Number (TPN), TAEP ID#, and a working email address to create their TAEP Online account.
• The TPN and TAEP ID# are located on the producer’s Document A which is included in the reimbursement packet.
• Producers will receive a password after setting up their TAEP Online account. Please check spam or junk folder if email is not received within 15 minutes.

Hand Delivery

Hand delivery of your reimbursement request is an option but is not encouraged during this health crisis.

Email

We do not accept reimbursement requests by email or fax due to various security concerns.

Need Certificate or TPN?

Please contact Bruce Steelman at 615-542-1364 if you need a copy of your Master Beef Certificate or TPN (Tennessee Producer Number).

The Tennessee Department of Education and Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) announced a statewide partnership with ReadyRosie, an early education online platform, to provide short videos and free resources with simple, engaging activities for Tennessee families and children, ages birth through 3rd grade, to do at home. 

Through this partnership, all families with school-aged children in Tennessee will have access to ReadyRosie Modeled Moment videos, which equips them with simple and fun activities to help their children learn while at home. Around two minutes long in both English and Spanish, the video “moments” feature real families demonstrating instructional activities that parents can then replicate with their own children and are rooted in learning goals for children on topics such as literacy, early math, health and well-being.  

“As we continue to navigate these challenging times, we are excited to provide all Tennessee families with access to this incredible platform to help them create rich learning experiences at home,” said Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “The ReadyRosie platform is another resource from the state to help families engage with their children during this time by doing simple, instructional activities at home while promoting learning and bonding with their children.” 

The ReadyRosie platform will be available for Tennessee families from April 1 through September 1. Families can easily register for free today here, https://readyrosie.com/tn/, and can sign up to receive weekly text messages or emails with curated playlists of activities. 

“Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation is committed to continuing the important work of our early literacy programs and partnerships, especially during this unique and challenging time,” said James Pond, GELF President. “As we respond in ways that continue to fulfill our mission to support the children and families we serve in Tennessee, we are excited to partner with ReadyRosie to provide families with quality online resources to help children develop early literacy skills through reading and learning together.” 

For more information about ReadyRosie, visit the website and watch this video. Tennessee parents can register for free here: https://readyrosie.com/tn/.  

Heavy storms traveled across the midstate Saturday night and Sunday morning.  Straightline winds caused damage across Cannon  and DeKalb County.

Middle Tennessee Electric reported multiple outages.  The continued rain is blamed for erosion along River Road and made a section of the road impassable.  The county road crew is expected to start restoration of the area today. One section of the road is closed near Short Mountain School.

Rain soaked soil aided by straight line winds toppled trees causing damage to homes and buildings.

Utilities companies worked a bulk of the day to restore services to customers.

Cannon County update on COVID-19. So far as many already know, Cannon County has (3) confirmed causes of COVID-19. Statewide reports of at least 1,530 cases and 6 deaths so far.

The Cannon County, COVID-19 Task Force was created last Thursday with representatives from City Government, County Government, Law Enforcement, Fire Departments, Rescue Squad, Emergency Management, St Thomas Stones River Hospital, and the Cannon County Health Department. The purpose of this Task Force is to gather accurate information from every facet of expertise in Cannon County to keep the Citizens of Cannon County informed as up to date as possible.

The Cannon County Health Department is doing COVID-19 testing Monday thru Friday from 1p-3p.

Some good news with the amount of testing going on is that much more flu and cold strains are being identified quicker and that a lot of what people are experiencing is NOT COVID-19.

St Thomas Stones River Hospital is currently on complete lock down. All EMS crews that arrive with patients are screened first before admittance into the Emergency Department. Anyone that arrives in person is fully screened by ER Staff at the door before admittance to the ER. Currently, NO visitors are allowed at all into the hospital.

The newest numbers released by the Tennessee Department of Health (TDOH) reveal that there are now 28 confirmed cases of coronavirus spread across the Upper Cumberland.

The count for testing positive for COVID-19 in Cannon County is now at 2. In neighboring counties, DeKalb has 3, Wilson County 20 and Rutherford 39.

The Tn Dept of Health reports that 16,091 people have been tested statewide. Of those, 1,203, or 7.5%, tested positive for the virus, up from 6.4% from the previous report. However, it is important to note that only patients who have symptoms and meet the criteria of fever, cough, and shortness of breath are being tested.

Statewide, there are 103 people hospitalized for the infection, with one known hospitalization within the Upper Cumberland region, and six deaths have resulted.

COVID-19 testing times at the Cannon County Health Department.
Testing will be administered only to symptomatic patients between 1:00-3:00, weekdays.

If you believe you have COVID-19, do not go to the doctor or the Emergency Department without calling first.  Keep your hands clean and continue to practice social distancing.  If you are feeling bad, stay at home.  Keep an eye on our elders.  They need to be staying at home as much as possible and we need to support them and keep them safe. People over the age of 65 and those with prior illness are at greatest risk so we need to some together and support them.

Individuals with specific questions can call the TDH Information line at 877-857-2945 or 931- 931-646-7586 or the Cannon County Health Dept. 615-563-4243.