In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Retired District Attorney General William C. Whitesell, Jr. presented the Hometown Hero Award in memory of District Attorney General Guy R. Dotson, Sr. to General Dotson’s family. Accepting the award on behalf of their father were Bethe Dotson Becker, Ben Dotson, Greg Dotson, and Guy Dotson Jr.
“Hometown Hero Awards are presented to individuals who have dedicated their careers to making our community a better place for children to live and grow up,” said Child Advocacy Center director Sharon De Boer. “We are grateful for their service to our community.”
General Dotson is remembered as an aggressive prosecutor and a strong advocate for crime victims. He was an outstanding mentor to many of the current assistant district attorneys. He was a selfless prosecutor who dealt with all people in a fair manner.
“General Dotson made our community a safer place for children and families,” said De Boer. “The Child Advocacy Center will forever be grateful to him for his outstanding service.”
Plans are beginning now for the 2019 Hometown Heroes Awards and the Hometown Heroes Walk for Children. Please contact Kristina Troglen at the Child Advocacy Center if you want to get involved in next year’s event 615-867-9000.
2018
Training Staff Addition with Focus On Domestic Violence
Tennessee law enforcement agencies now have a new resource to help combat domestic violence and connect victims with community-based domestic violence service programs.The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) announces the hiring of 22-year veteran officer Teddy Murphy as a new fulltime instructor at the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy (TLETA) where he will teach the Lethality Assessment Program – Maryland Model (LAP).
Originally designed for use by law enforcement, Lethality Assessment Program – Maryland Model gives officers and other first responders a model for effective domestic violence assessment in order to better understand domestic violence calls and prevent escalating violence that can lead to homicides. Murphy will teach the program to every basic Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy police recruit class in addition to conducting sessions with veteran officers at departments across the state.
According to Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak, “The Governor’s Task Force on Sentencing and Recidivism first outlined the need for a better way to assist Tennessee law enforcement in the assessment of domestic violence situations and help protect victims. While the LAP program is currently used by some departments, this new TLETA instructor position will ensure that future all Tennessee law enforcement officers receive training in its valuable domestic violence assessment methods.”
TBI Director Mark Gwyn to Retire Early
Retiring Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director and McMinnville native Mark Gwyn says he’s now leaving office May 16 instead of the June 1 date he originally announced. His new retirement date comes a day after a nominating commission interviewed a list of potential candidates to succeed Gwyn. The five-member commission will then narrow its list to three to present to Governor Haslam to make a selection. Gwyn, who has led the agency for nearly 14-and-a-half years, has long said the TBI is understaffed and underfunded.
This past legislative session, state lawmakers added 10 TBI agents and two forensic techs to help the staffing levels, but several lawmakers hope additional help for the agency will be a priority of the next governor.
The TBI said Deputy Director Jason Locke will serve as acting director until the governor makes his selection.
Senior Profiles For This Week
Monday 05 14 189am Kristen Franklin
10am Keran Gaines
11am Taylor Gather
1pm Emma Giles
2pm Benjamin George
3pm Bailey Goin
Tuesday 05 15 18
9am Micheal Glassmeyer
10am Ethan Granstaff
11am Hannah Haley
1pm Katelyn Harris
2pm Isaiah Hardwood
3pm Emily Hartman
Wednesday 05 16 18
9am Bryan Hill
10am Masie Hogan
11am Andrew Howard
1pm Cindy Howse
2pm Izabella holt
3pm Pearson Hughes
Thursday 05 17 18
9am Baliy Knox
10am Kiresten Kyne
11am Brandon Lack
1pm Allisom Lambert
2pm Ana Lawson
3pm Micheal Lockhart
Friday 05 18 18
9am Hannah Mears
10am Alyssa Miller
11am Micheal Mitchell
1pm Matthew Morris
2pm John Neall Jr.
3pm Bo Parker
4pm Matthew Pemperton
Profiles are on AM 1540 and FM 107.1.
Mary Lee Goins Harrison
Mary Lee Goins Harrison, age 90, of Woodbury passed away Friday, May 11, 2018 at Woodbury Health and Rehab. She was a native of Cannon Co.She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Ruth and Roy Rowland of Yulee, FL; sister, Peggy (David) Ferrell of Woodbury. Also surviving are 5 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Harrison was preceded in death by her parents, John & Estelle Finley Goins; 2 sons, Johnny & Steve Bowen; 1 daughter, Judy Slatton; and siblings, Jessie and Bobby Goins and Faye Goins Holt.
She was a member of the Church of Christ. Mrs. Harrison enjoyed fishing, cooking, and loved her dogs.
Funeral Services will be 3 pm Monday, May 14, 2018 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Al Bugg officiating. Visitation with the family will be from 11 am until time of service Monday, May 14. Pallbearers will include J.R. Bowen, Ronnie Whitworth, Chris Carter, Lance Chandler, Austin & Kyle Worrell
Action by General Assembly to Assist On Ambulance Costs
Legislation sponsored by Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston) that continues the Ambulance Service Provider Assessment Act has been signed into law by Governor Bill Haslam. This law allows the state to receive additional Medicaid funds to be distributed to local private and public ambulance services for transporting patients covered by the program.“I am pleased to see this law continued,” said Senator Yager. “This is especially beneficial to ambulance service providers and patients in rural communities which have a high number of TennCare patients. Rural ambulance services struggle financially, and these additional funds will help keep the doors open.”
This legislation is expected to bring in approximately $19.7 million in federal funds for ambulance services through the state’s TennCare Program. It is modeled after the successful Hospital Assessment Act which has prevented catastrophic TennCare cuts over the last seven years.
“This legislation has proven beneficial over the last year, and I look forward to seeing the increase quality of care continue as a result of our action on this bill,” added Yager.
Mayor and Board of Alderman May Meeting
A new industry interested in Woodbury could assist with solid waste and bring almost two dozen new jobs. During the May meeting of the Mayor and Board of Alderman started reviewing the options of a gasification plant. Over the past few weeks, Mayor Duggin has started researching the pros and cons of gasification plants. Gasification is the process of cleanly burning trash for the purpose of generating energy. 360 Company has approached the town on becoming a location for a recycling facility.Other topics before the board Kevin Halpern addressed the board on the creation of a website for Woodbury government. The board approved the closure of a portion of High Street for their annual nursing home block party.
Louise “Sammie” Smithson Taylor
Louise “Sammie” Smithson Taylor, 90, of Woodbury passed away Thursday, May 10, 2018 at Woodbury Health and Rehab. She was a native of Cannon Co. and resided in Bradyville. She is survived by son, Bobby (Jenette) Taylor of Manchester; daughter-in-law, Joyce Taylor of Woodbury; grandchildren, Lisa (Gary) Blanton and Alan (LeighAnn) Taylor of Woodbury, Stephen (Tammy) Taylor of Bradyville, Amy (Tom) Rhodelander of Shawnee, Kansas; great grandchildren, Taylor Blanton, Hannah and Hendrix Taylor, Mitchell and Abi Taylor, Aylee and Evan Rhodelander; siblings, Loy (Carlas) and Jerry (Carmen) Smithson all of Woodbury.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Arminda Sadler Smithson; her son, Jimmy Taylor; her great grandson, Jake Taylor and her brothers, Donnie and Vernie Mae Smithson and Paul and Juanita Smithson.
She was a member of the McMahan Church of Christ. She had a love for her church, grandchildren and animals. She enjoyed eating out and visiting with others. Her very best friend was Vernie Mae Smithson and she had a special friend and roommate Lucille Parton.
Graveside Services will be 3:30 pm Saturday, May 12, 2018 at McMahan Cemetery with Bro. Herb Alsup and Jim Jones. Pallbearers include Gary and Taylor Blanton, Alan, Stephen and Mitchell Taylor, Daniel Smithson and David Goin. Visitation with the family will be Saturday, May 12, 2018 from 11 am until 3 pm.
Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or www.woodburyfuneralhome.net
Budgets Fill The Agenda for School Board
Budgets, budgets, budgets are on the agenda for the May meeting of the Cannon County Board of Education.
Perkins CTE budget, Food Service 2018-2019 budget, 2018-2019 IDEA budget, 2018-2019 Federal Programs budget, 2018-2019 Federal Programs budget and 2018-2019 GP Budget, if complete.
Other agenda items include; review of non-faculty cross-country coaches. Bryan Cofer will address the Board concerning Cooperative Purchasing Contracts. Connie Foster will address the Board concerning a gazebo at East Side School. The board is expected to act on TN Ready recommendation for final grading.
The meeting begins tonight at 6:30 in the cafeteria of Woodbury Grammar School.
Richard Howard Brennesholtz, Sr.
Richard Howard Brennesholtz, Sr., 86, of Morrison passed away on May 4, 2018. He was born in Passaic, New Jersey on April 18, 1932. He was preceded in death by his parents, George & Mary Kleshefski Brennesholtz; step-son, Kenneth Downs; brothers, George (Betty Ann) Brennesholtz and Edward (Dorothy) Brennesholtz; and a sister, Florence (Harry) Hladki and their daughter, Karen Hladki.He is survived by a son, Richard Brennesholtz, Jr. of Hendersonville; daughters, Joanne (Randy) Warta of Morrison and Lysa (John) Coe of Lebanon; grandchildren, Mark (Kelly) Graham, Jr. and Justin (Erika) Brennesholtz; great granddaughters, Alyssa, Avery, and Mila; niece, Peggy; and a nephew Edward.
Mr. Richard loved to travel. He traveled to many locations, including a 2-week trip across 12 states to the west coast with Joanne. When he wasn’t traveling he loved being at home in sunny Florida. He had a wide variety of interests. He loved to cook, make candy & fudge, make candles, doing stained glass & enjoyed dancing and the theatre. He was an avid bowler and was on a team for many years. He loved gardening. He loved life and being with his family and friends. He was a veteran of the US Air Force.
He will be laid to rest in Florida with his parents later this month. Share memories and condolences with the family at www.smithfuneralhomewoodbury.net Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 615-563-5337