2018

Could the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency and the Upper Cumberland Development District eventually be merged into one agency? That idea is being reported in an article in the Upper Cumberland Business Journal.The search committee voted to retain Mark Farley as the UCHRA interim director and put the search for a new director on hold. Putnam County Mayor Porter told the Upper Cumberland Business Journal that Farley, UCHRA attorney Danny Rader, and Tennessee Tech University will be tasked with weighing the pros and cons of merging UCHRA and UCDD into one central agency. 
The agencies, both designed to assist the region’s neediest citizens, each offer programs that overlap. In recent months, the workforce development program was trimmed from UCHRA’s roster of responsibilities and given to UCDD to manage after reports of mismanagement and poor documentation were lodged against UCHRA for their management of the program. 
Being in the early stages of determining if a merger is feasible, it is not immediately clear what a possible new structure might look like. 
Those involved with the study will report back to the search committee with their findings once the study is completed. 
Woodbury and Cannon County are both served by the agencies and have representatives on their boards.
Source: Upper Cumberland Business Journal
 

The need for additional cross country training space gets the attention of the Industrial Development Board.  During Thursday night’s meeting of the Cannon County Commission, Corey Davenport, chairman of the Industrial Development Board addressed Commissioners.  The board has advised the Commission they wish to exercise a 90 day option in an agreement with the county for a approximate 4 acre track on Alexander Drive.  The county has previously paid one-dollar per year for the track.  Davenport stated the board wishes to use the track as recreational space.  The plan is to maintain the area for use by the youth of our community for cross country training.  He also indicated the possibility of building an outdoor basketball practice area.Commissioners agreed and also approved access for the Industrial Development Board during the 90-day cancelation period so they may begin their work on the project.
The acreage is located across from the Sheriff’s office on Alexander Drive.

The way you enter the courthouse in Cannon County may change in the future. During the meeting of the Cannon County Commission, Judge Susan Melton informed the group of a recent meeting of the courthouse security committee.
The committee reviewed the current layout for security and developed a plan they hope to implement in the future.  Under the new plan, security personnel and metal scanners will be relocated from the hallway area just outside the courtroom to the lower floor. Another recommendation would call for all persons to enter the courthouse from a single entrance.
Sheriff Darryl Young reported that the new plan will change the personnel needed on court days from one to three.  He also said for the safety of all concerned, a ban of firearms in the courthouse should be enforced.
The courthouse security committee consists of judges, members of the office of court clerk, sheriff’s department and is headed by Chancellor Wilson.
Cannon County is possibly the last courthouse in this area to take these steps. No action has been taken on the plan yet.

The Annual Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) Children’s Fishing Rodeo, is scheduled for this Saturday June 9 at Dillon Park. The Stones River will be stocked with several hundred catfish, and each child who participates will receive a very special tackle box. The Hilton Stone American Legion Post 279, working with TWRA’s Mark Vance, sets up the check-in station and gives out the tackle boxes. Those fishing need to bring their own gear and bait. Gates open at 7:00 a.m., and fishing begins at 8. The legionnaires prepare hot dogs, buns, drinks and chips.  Ice and cold bottled water will also be on hand for children. No fishing will be allowed from the Dillon Park side or the other side of the river until Saturday morning, to make sure the fish are there for the children. TWRA game wardens, Legionnaires and Woodbury Police are patrolling the area until then.

A local resident has filed a lawsuit to halt construction of an asphalt plant.Last month WBRY reported about an asphalt plant under construction on John Bragg Highway.  A 30-day window had opened for public comment pertaining to an air pollution filter permit.
One comment has been filed, not in Nashville but in the county.  County Chancery Court to be specific.
Local resident and attorney Nathan Luna filed a petition earlier this week seeking the removal of the asphalt plant under construction at the intersection of John Bragg Highway (Highway 70 South) and Bradyville Road.
The basis of the lawsuit is the Scenic Highway System Act.
Respondent is a Tennessee limited liability corporation whose principal place of business is located in Wartrace, TN. Chris Hawkins is the registered agent for Defendant at the same address.

Ten cyclists are participating in the 2018 Remember the Removal Bike Ride and Woodbury will be a stop today (Wednesday) on their three-week trek spanning approximately 950 miles along the northern route of the Trail of Tears.  
The Cherokee Nation’s 10 cyclists joined eight from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in Cherokee, North Carolina. After participating in cultural activities and team-building exercises in North Carolina, their ride began in Georgia, Sunday. While commemorating the 180th anniversary of the Trail of Tears, cyclists will travel through seven states before concluding in Oklahoma on June 21.
 
The original Remember the Removal Bike Ride was held in 1984, and the leadership program resumed as an annual ride in 2009. Participants learn about Cherokee Nation’s history, language and culture and get a glimpse of the hardships their ancestors faced while making the journey on foot.
 
Starting in 1838, Cherokees were rounded up and forced from their homes in Georgia, Tennessee and other southeastern states to the Cherokee Nation’s current capital in Tahlequah. Of approximately 16,000 Cherokees who were forced to make the journey to Indian Territory, about 4,000 died from disease, starvation and exposure to the elements.
  
Follow the Remember the Removal Bike Ride at http://www.facebook.com/removal.ride and at www.remembertheremoval.cherokee.org. On Twitter and Instagram, search for the hashtags #RTR2018 and #WeRemember.
 
The cyclists will be traveling from Spencer to Murfreesboro today.  Anyone who would like to meet the riders and welcome them to Cannon County should come to the Farmers Market at the Arts Center on John Bragg Highway. The estimated time of arrival should be from Noon until 3:00pm.
 

Are you ready for the ‘Roo?  The annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival will soon take place in the city of Manchester, Tennessee.  Since its beginning in 2002, the four-day, multi-stage event continues to be one of the most popular live music festivals in the country, attracting thousands of attendees. To fully enjoy the varied lineup of performers and musical styles that Bonnaroo has to offer, festivalgoers from all over the country camp out on a 700-acre Middle Tennessee farm, making it their temporary home for four days.
As in years past, tens of thousands of music lovers are expected to attend the 2018 Bonnaroo festival, which kicks off Thursday night, June 7, and winds down Sunday night, June 10.
During the Bonnaroo Festival, the area in and around Manchester sees increased traffic volume as festivalgoers make their way into the festival site.  As Manchester prepares to welcome a multitude of visitors, the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Tennessee Highway Patrol are gearing up for the extra traffic expected in the area.  TDOT and THP are working closely with the Manchester Police Department, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department and festival promoters to keep traffic moving on I-24 while also getting Bonnaroo attendees to their destination.

“TDOT has once again coordinated with our partners at THP and other agencies to ensure safe, efficient travel during the Bonnaroo festival,” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer.  “The main objective is to keep through traffic moving smoothly on I‑24 while getting festivalgoers safely into and out of the Bonnaroo site.  Because of advance planning, we feel certain that we can successfully minimize traffic delays throughout the weekend as we have in past years.”

This year, Bonnaroo will officially open all its gates on Wednesday evening June 6 at 8:00 p.m. CDT to allow more time for vehicles to enter the campgrounds.  State Troopers will be on-the-job 24 hours a day, beginning Wednesday evening, patrolling on the ground and by air.  Also, drivers should keep in mind that if they need the assistance of a state trooper while traveling anywhere in Tennessee, they can simply dial *THP (*847) from their cell phone.  They will be automatically connected to the nearest THP dispatch office and the operator will send a state trooper to their location.

“The number one goal of the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is to reduce traffic related incidents and fatalities,” said THP Colonel Dereck Stewart. “I have emphasized a statewide priority to our captains the importance of working closely with TDOT and our public safety partners. So think twice if you are planning to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, because troopers and local law enforcement will be looking for you. Always wear your seatbelt, and do not drive distracted. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is committed more than ever to reducing crashes and saving lives on Tennessee roadways.”

During Bonnaroo 2017, Troopers logged nearly 6,240 man-hours, worked 6 traffic crashes (0 fatal, 3 injury, and 3 property damage crashes), and wrote 1,066 citations (moving 381, non-moving 685) and issued 0 warnings.  A breakdown of all THP-issued citations during last year’s festival period is included in this release.
TDOT HELP units will assist with traffic management during the festival and will aid any motorists who require assistance.  In addition to having HELP trucks on-site, TDOT and other agencies will be taking the following steps beginning Wednesday, June 6 through Monday, June 11:

Efforts will be concentrated on keeping I-24 traffic flowing.

Exit 111 (SR 55) will be used as the main festival exit. Exits 97, 105, 112 (temporary exit on westbound side only), 117 and 127 are alternate exits if congestion occurs on the interstate.

TDOT maintenance units will be posted throughout the festival region, and maintenance personnel will be on call all weekend.

TDOT will provide variable message signs to warn drivers of delays.

There will be no construction-related lane closures on I-24 near the Bonnaroo festival area between 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 6 through 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 11.

Median crossovers will be guarded to prevent motorists from parking in the crossovers and blocking emergency vehicles.

Festival traffic will be kept in the right lane and/or on the shoulder of the interstate, allowing through traffic to utilize the left travel lane unimpeded.

Emergency vehicles will use county roads that will be kept at low volume.

Bonnaroo promoters issued early news releases to the trucking industry and other sources to alert the traveling public to festival times, location, and alternate routes.

Temporary communication towers are in place to improve emergency communications.
During the festival, motorists should call 511 from any mobile or land line phone for traffic updates or visit the TDOT website at www.tn.gov/tdot where they can also find information on alternate routes.  From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest traffic information and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic.  TDOT is also on Twitter.  For statewide traffic tweets follow TN511 or for regional traffic information follow Nashville511, Chattanooga511, Memphis511 and Knoxville511.

Good news for county and city governments as the state revels the results of April sales tax collections. The numbers show a 10.4 percent increase over last April, collections for Cannon County were $392,122 in 2017.  The April 2018 numbers are $433,096, just over a ten-percent increase.Cannon along with Clay and Overton produced double-digit increases for April over the previous year.
The 14 counties that comprise the Upper Cumberland region reported $23,872,197 for a five-percent increase.  The state as a whole generated $789,954,000 for a 4.3% increase according to the Tennessee Department of Revenue.