WBRY Local News

A local man has been arrested after he allegedly sold his TennCare provided prescription drugs. James Howard Mooneyham, age 57 of Manustown Road, was arrested by the Cannon County Sheriff’s Department after an investigation led authorities to believe he sold his drugs to a local citizen for profit. According to court documents, Mooneyham first used his TennCare benefits to obtain the medication at no cost to him and then sold it to the third party. The drug allegedly sold by Mooneyham was the powerful anti-depressant Xanax. Mooneyham is charged with sale of a controlled substance and will appear before General Sessions Judge Susan Melton on May 20th. He is currently free on $2,500.00 bond. It is not yet known how many pills Mooneyham sold or how much he made from the sales.

The public square in Woodbury has undergone a change this week. The area is now ready for two days of community activities. Good Ole Days is part music festival, part open-air market, part county fair and all fun. This will mark the third anniversary of the re-birth of the Cannon County festival. Connie Rigsby and Angela King were looking for revenue producing events to assist Cannon County REACH and Cannon County Senior Center when they decided to revive an old favorite. Friday activities will include; Ms. Senior Citizen pageant, senior line dancers, 1st Baptist Choir, Pete and Fred, Gulley Jumpers, By Faith, Heartsong, the Junior Miss Pageant and Rep Tide. Saturday activities will include; baby show, True Heart, Men of Grace, Gilley Brothers, Miss Good Ole Days Pageant and the Bel-Aires. The Blast From The Past Parade will travel from the fairgrounds thru downtown at Noon. Friday, May 16th 12:00 – 12:30 Ms. Senior Citizens Pageant 12:30 – 2:30 Senior Fun Games 2:30 – 3:00 Senior Bingo 3:00 – 3:30 Senior Line Dancers 3:30 – 4:00 1st Baptist Church Choir 4:00 – 4:30 Pete and Fred 4:30 – 5:00 Senior Center House Band 5:00 – 5:30 Brazle Girls 5:30 – 6:00 Lifehouse Youth Drama 6:30 – 7:00 TBA 7:00 – 7:30 Johnnie Brown – By Faith 7:30 – 8:00 Kay Patrick – Heartsong 8:00 – 10:00 Junior Miss Pageant 10:00 – 11:00 Rip Tide Saturday, May 17th 8:00 – 11:00 Baby Show 11:00 – 11:30 True Heart 11:30 – 12:00 Men Of Grace 12:00 – 12:30 Soggy Boro 12:00 – 1:00 Blast From The Past Parade 1:00 – 1:30 Chan’s Beitler 1:30 – 2:00 Bluegrass Express Cloggers 2:00 – 2:30 Cripple Creek Cloggers 2:30 – 3:30 Wilson County Line 3:30 – 4:00 TBA 4:00 – 4:30 Wolf Creek 4:30 – 5:30 Gilley Brothers 5:30 – 6:00 Auction by Leo Parker Realty 6:30 – 7:00 Tyler Rink and Brandon Robbins 7:00 – 9:00 Miss Good Ole Days Pageant 9:00 – 11:00 Bel-Aires

State lawmakers are still struggling with the best way to slash nearly half-a-billion-dollars from next year's budget. The 468-million dollars in cuts proposed by Governor Phil Bredesen include the elimination of two-thousand state employees through a voluntary buyout plan. Remaining state employees will see their health insurance costs go up and won't get pay raises. Some have suggested using the state's Rainy Day Fund to avoid cuts. Comptroller John Morgan says that's a bad idea. He says the state needs to match recurring expenditures with recurring revenues and not spend its savings. Lawmakers are constitutionally bound to pass a budget before they can adjourn for the year. Right now it's unclear when that will happen.

A $750,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development loan will allow the Cumberland Area Investment Corporation to make loans to small businesses in Cannon County, U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon said. “In Tennessee, small businesses drive the state’s economy,” Gordon said. “Small businesses, those with fewer than 500 employees, employ over 44 percent of Tennesseans. Women represent over 35 percent and minorities account for over 18 percent of small business owners in Tennessee.” The funds will be used to create a revolving loan fund that will make small business loans in the 14 Upper Cumberland counties CAIC serves. CAIC will inject $750,000 of matching funds into the revolving loan fund to leverage the fund. Their Intermediary Relending Program already has small business applications totaling almost $1.4 million on hand. “Small businesses are the backbone of rural economies, and we are very pleased to be able to further our efforts in supporting small businesses, as well as start-up business throughout the region,” Wendy Askins, executive director of the Upper Cumberland Development District, said. A projected 300 jobs will be created as a result of the Intermediary Relending Program. “Thanks to the support of our leaders like Congressman Bart Gordon, USDA Rural Development has the financial resources to invest in good jobs through the work of the Cumberland Area Investment Corp,” said Rural Development State Director Mary Ruth Tackett. CAIC serves Cannon and 13 other counties across the Upper Cumberland region.

Work on Cannon County's 2008-2009 fiscal year operating budget has offically begun. Members of the County Commission's budget committee met for the first time this week to discuss the proposed expendatures and income of the County. The main focus of this week's meeting was to go over proposed revenue. Members learned that one cent of the property tax rate will bring in $19,048.00. That figure is up slightly over last year. Additionally, growth in Cannon County produced estimated income of over $53,000.00. This is income which is generated in excess of the property taxes collected. Members will begin going over projected expendatures on Thursday night. They will review the budgets of courthouse offices. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. and will take place in the courtroom of the Courthouse. Members have not yet released their future meeting dates. Members are expected to meet many more times over the coming months before they have a budget ready to submit to the full County Commission.

Judge Susan Melton presided over Cannon County General Sessions Court on Tuesday. Some of the results from the various cases which appeared on the docket included: Christopher Scott Chesshire pled guilty to the reduced charge of driving without a license. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail. That sentence was suspended upon an equal amount of time on supervised probation, paying a $50.00 fine and paying the court costs. William A. Klaus pled guilty to the charge of driving on a revoked license. He was sentenced to 6 months in the county jail. That sentence was partially suspended upon an equal amount of time on supervised probation, serving 48 hours in jail, paying a $50.00, the court costs and restitution. In addition, he will lose his license for 1 year. Kevin McBride pled guilty to the charge of violation of probation. He was ordered to serve 45 days in jail and his probation was extended. David LaFaette Lamb entered a conditional plea to the charge of simple possession of marijuana. He was placed on supervised probation for 11 months, 29 days. In addition, he was ordered to pay a $250.00 fine and the court costs. He will also be required to submit to drug screens. Clayton Pillow pled guilty to the reduced charge of driving without a license. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail. That sentence was suspended upon an equal amount of time on supervised probation, paying a $50.00 fine and paying the court costs. Paul Leonard Slatten pled guilty to the reduced charge of driving without a license. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail. That sentence was suspended upon an equal amount of time on supervised probation, paying a $50.00 fine and paying the court costs.

House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh says he's doing all he can to wrap this year's legislative session up by Friday. Lawmakers must pass a budget before they can adjourn for the year. Governor Phil Bredesen has given the legislature a revised budget that slashes an additional 468-million dollars from what he proposed earlier this year. House Finance Committee Chairman Craig Fitzhugh hopes to move the revenue package through committee Thursday morning for a Thursday afternoon floor vote.

A 44 year old Woodbury woman has apparently become the first drowning victim on Center Hill Lake this year. Dead is Sherry Mathis of Parch Corn Hollow Road, Woodbury. Sheriff Patrick Ray says Mathis, her cousin (male), and two friends (male and female) were on a pontoon boat on the lake near Lakeside Resort when the incident occurred after 11:00 p.m. Friday night. According to Sheriff Ray, "They were idling down the lake when she fell overboard." The operator of the pontoon threw out a flotation device and then jumped in the water and grabbed her. He and the other two on board pulled Mathis back onto the boat. Her cousin began administering CPR but apparently could not revive her. She was brought back to Lakeside where DeKalb EMS picked her up. Mathis was transported to DeKalb Community Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Sheriff Ray says according to witnesses, there was evidence of drinking by those on the boat, but it's not yet known if alcohol contributed to Mathis' death. An autopsy will be performed. The case is under investigation by the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department and TWRA. This story is from our news partner in DeKalb County, wjle.com

Governor Phil Bredesen says his revised, bare-bones budget is balanced without gimmicks in order that the state can live within its means. Revenue shortfalls forced Bredesen to slash an additional 468-million-dollars from an already lean spending plan. In a speech to the legislature, said he's proposing what he calls "honest cuts." That means matching recurring funds with recurring expenses and not using one-time money to pay for ongoing expenses. Bredesen says the state will also protect its major reserve funds. He says the state will need to tap into them if the national economic slowdown continues. Bredesen says he'll also resist calls to take the easy path and try to tax the state's way out of the shortfall. This means cutting funds for education improvements, reducing the state's workforce by two-thousand people and scaling back a proposed TennCare expansion. Legislative leaders say they can work with the revised budget Governor Phil Bredesen has presented. It slashes an additional 468-million dollars in proposed spending through across-the-board cuts and state employee buyouts. Bredesen is still working out the details of the buyout package. House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh says members would like to know more about what's being offered. Bredesen has asked the legislature to approve 50-million-dollars in one-time money to pay for the buyout. Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey says he trusts Bredesen to do the right thing when it comes to cutting the state's workforce. Read the entire text of Governor Bredesen’s speech: http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/govfiles/051208-Address-Budget-Update.pdf

Members of the broadcast industry from across the Volunteer State recently met in Nashville to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters. Radio and television personnel, present and past members gathered to celebrate with a variety of activities. Two local broadcasters were among those who received honors during the meeting. Woodbury resident Dave Bunge, the former owner of WBRY and Smithville resident Dr. W.E. Vanatta, with WJLE AM-FM have been named Lifetime Members of the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters. Director At Large for Radio with the association, Douglas Combs made the presentations at the meeting.

The Town of Woodbury’s property owners and water customers will go another year without a tax increase following this week’s meeting of the Woodbury Board of Mayor and Alderman. Members unanimously passed, on first reading, the Town’s fiscal year 2008-2009 operation budget. The budget calls for the same tax rate as 2007-2008’s budget and increases expenditures. Some of the highlights of the budget include: An average .50 cent per hour pay raise for Town employees; An increase in fuel costs for the various departments; An increase in utility costs for the Town’s buildings; An increase in the cost of copper and chemicals for the Water department; 550 drive-by meters for the Bradyville area; An increase in insurance rates; The bulk of the budget’s increase was in the area of utilities and materials. Rising fuel costs and a dramatic increase in the costs of materials needed at the water treatment plant led members to question whether a water rate increase might be in the near future for their water customers in the Utility District. Currently, customers pay some of the lowest water rates in the State, and those rates have not been raised in years. Another option considered by members was an increase in water tap fees. Woodbury’s tap fees have been the lowest of all its surrounding counties, currently at $900.00. Some surrounding counties charge $2,800.00 to tap onto the water supply. The budget will not leave much cash left over after everything is paid next year, a fact that concerned members. Members will be looking into their various funding options over the next several months to determine what types of ways there are to improve the Town’s financial outlook without raising property taxes. Things are not desperate for the Town, as they have an over $3,000,000.00 fund balance, but members cautioned that they were hesitant to use those funds to balance the budget because of the current state of the economy, the fact that it is not a reliable source of income and would be a poor financial practice. The budget is not officially approved until it is passed on second reading. Members will vote on the budget again at their June meeting. One bit of bad news received by Members was the possibility that the long awaited pedestrian bridge connecting the Square with Dillon Park may not be feasible. Sealed bids were opened on Tuesday at City Hall and, much to the surprise of Town Officials, bids came in dramatically higher than expected. The only bid submitted was for $352,505.00. That is over $152,000.00 more than the Town has on hand to complete the project. The bidder blamed the high cost of concrete and other rising costs as the source of the high bid. One problem being faced by the Town is the fact that it is under a time constraint to complete the project. The Tennessee Department of Transportation has placed the Town under a lot of pressure to complete the project or possibly lose their money. Another problem is that not just anyone can bid on the project, Department of Transportation requirements dictate that only a person on their approved bidder list may be awarded a bid, a requirement that significantly limits possible bidders. Members said they did not want to abandon the project yet and would study the issue further prior to their next meeting. In other business before the Board: Members awarded at a bid to Jennings Motors for the purchase of a Ford Explorer for the Police Department. Jennings’ bid was $20,190.00. Members approved a request by the Cannon County Youth for Christ to hold a 5K run to be held on June 28th. The route will take the run down College Street and through the neighborhoods in that area so that traffic is not interrupted. The run will start at 8 a.m. Members approved a request for the installation of LED traffic lights and a turn signal at the intersection of Main and College Street. Members discussed the first meeting of the committee appointed last month to look into the Town’s dog problem. The group reported that they are still researching several options and are open to suggestions. Members approved a zoning ordinance setting up the permissible locations for meat packaging plants on second reading.

A variety of events will keep many Cannon Countians busy on Friday. The annual Day On The Farm event will be located on the fairgrounds. Elementary school students will have the opportunity to learn about farming and products from the farm. Activities will begin in the expo building at 8:30am. The Historic Cannon County Chamber of Commerce will hold a spring mixer this afternoon. Chamber members will hear from numerous elected officials with updates on area projects. Members will also have a chance to see the expanded Arts Center of Cannon County. The meet and greet is open to members and persons interested in joining the chamber. Hours will be from 4:00pm until 6:00pm. The annual Relay For Life will begin Friday night at 6. Teams will walk the track as a relay through the night to raise awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society. Food booths will be on the grounds and music will fill the night with performers on the stage. Everyone is invited. Bring your favorite lawn chair and show your support for the team members. The event will begin with a lap around the track for cancer survivors followed by a lap for care givers. At 9:00pm the luminary ceremony will begin. Persons wishing to purchase a luminary in memory or to honor a person can do so with the minimum of a $5.00 donation. To reserve a luminary, call Korie Aycock at Woodbury Funeral Home. Activities from the stage at Dillon Park will be broadcast on 1540 WBRY beginning at 6:00pm.

The Auburntown City Council met May 6, 2008 for their regular monthly meeting. The mayor and all councilmen were present except Christopher Blackburn. The financial report was given by Rita Davis, Treasurer, which showed a balance of funds in the amount of $44,356.11. The mayor had prepared and passed out to each councilman an amended budget proposal for consideration at next month's meeting. Connie Bryson had submitted a cost of some recent horticultural work performed at the C. S. Hawkins Park and a cost estimate for the ongoing upkeep and beautification of the grounds. As her submission seemed reasonable the council agreed to accept her proposal as long as funds were available. The mayor has been working with William Eisemann in repairing and refurbishing the needed items on the three buildings in the park. This includes the electrical systems, plumbing upgrades, roofing replacement on the gazebo and picnic shelter, painting and water proofing, replacing the cupola on one building and bringing all aspects of the park into a state readiness for the summer months and the annual Red Apple Day celebration. The mayor commented that the city is very fortunate to have such a talented local craftsman who is proficient in all aspects of the building trades. The meeting began at 6:00 P.M. and ended 35 minutes later. Winfred Gaither, Auburntown Bureau Chief

1540 WBRY will again this year air profiles of members of the graduating class of Cannon County High School. Profiles will begin Thursday, May 8th. Seniors and their air times are; THURSDAY, MAY 8TH 11AM JESSE THOMAS ALEXANDER 1 PM ALLISON VICTORIA BARRETT 2 PM BRADLEY BARRETT 3 PM JORDAN WAYNE BARRETT 4 PM MICHAEL RYAN BARRETT 5 PM ROBERT JOESEPH BERG FRIDAY, MAY 9TH 11 AM DESTIN LEEANN BRADLEY 1 PM BRITTANY LOUISE BRANDON 2 PM JONATHAN LOGAN BRILEY 3 PM DANYELLE ELIZABETH BROWN 4 PM KAYLA DANIELLE BURGER 5 PM KYLE MATTHEW CAITO

A McMinnville woman’s attempt to get away from a State Trooper has led to her arrest on a slew of charges. Angel Renee Farless, age 21 of Rebel Hill Road in McMinnville, was arrested by Tennessee Highway Patrolman Jason McGee after she allegedly ran from him while he was trying to stop her for suspicion of driving under the influence. After noticing her vehicle on Highway 281, McGee attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Farless then fled from him and led McGee on a chase through the eastern portion of Cannon County. After finally getting Farless to stop, McGee arrested her. Farless is charged with evading arrest by a motor vehicle, driving under the influence, reckless endangerment and violation of the implied consent law. McGee charged Farless with reckless endangerment because of the dangerous manner in which she was driving and because of her alleged disregard for his safety and the safety of other drivers. When McGee got Farless to the jail, she reportedly refused to take a breathalyzer test.

Governor Phil Bredesen says the state will need to make some painful spending cuts in order to balance next year's budget. Faced with a 468-million-dollar shortfall, Bredesen says the state will maintain the current pre-K-through-12 funding formula outlined under the Basic Education Program. However, improvements included in last year's BEP 2.0 plan won't be funded. Neither will new pre-kindergarten classrooms. Bredesen says the proposal he'll present to state lawmakers Monday night balances recurring expenses with recurring revenue and is based on reasonable revenue estimates for next year. The revised budget also calls for the layoffs of about two-thousand state workers. Bredesen hopes to do this through voluntary buyouts. The Tennessee State Employees Association is on board with Governor Phil Bredesen's plan to offer buyouts to state employees. President Zoyle Jones says this will soften the blow for their membership. He hopes the General Assembly will adopt the proposal offered by the governor in order to balance the budget. Bredesen says about two-thousand state employee positions will need to be eliminated to help bridge the state's 468-million dollar budget shortfall. He hopes this can be done through voluntary buyouts.

As warmer weather approaches and a new season begins, homeowners start to get the home improvement itch, with outdoor projects at the top of their to-do lists. Weekend warriors have been making plans all winter to build a new deck, plant shrubs and even add that white picket fence or install a new mailbox. Not only do homeowners need the proper tools and materials to successfully complete a project; they also need Tennessee One-Call to ensure that surrounding underground utility lines are safe from excavation. 811, a federally mandated and easy-to-remember national “Call Before You Dig” number, was created to help do-it-yourselfers ensure that utility lines are marked before digging, eliminating unintentional encounters with underground utility lines while they work on projects that require breaking ground. Here’s how it works. To ensure that all underground utility lines in the work area are marked, call Tennessee One-Call by dialing 811 at least 3 business days before digging. Tennessee One-Call will arrange for member utility operators to have the underground lines at the project site investigated and marked, free of charge, so that homeowners can carefully excavate around them and protect the lines during construction. This simple step can save money, prevent personal and property damage and protect homeowners from legal ramifications. It’s that simple. It is pertinent that homeowners notify Tennessee One-Call before any digging begins, no matter how large or small the project. Those digging often incorrectly assume that projects such as planting a tree, building a deck and installing a new mailbox or fence don’t break ground deep enough to require a visit from utility line locators. Tennessee One-Call Center is a homeowner’s ultimate partner – a partner that must be included in all outdoor home projects that involve digging. Natural gas delivered by pipelines is the safest form of energy in the U.S. Day in and day out, all across this country, pipelines safely deliver the efficient, reliable, and environmentally friendly natural gas that brings comfort to our businesses and homes. By utilizing 811 and proper digging techniques you will keep the gas in the pipeline and avoid the hazards of flammable and pressurized materials. Middle Tennessee Natural Gas (MTNG) and Tennessee One Call employees work to keep you safe. MTNG pipelines are designed, tested, operated, and maintained to standards that meet or exceed regulatory requirements. Yellow proximity markers are installed to warn of pipelines in the area and provide Tennessee One Call’s phone number. Though natural gas incidents are uncommon, especially when utilizing 811, you should know their telltale signs: Look – Blowing dirt, bubbling water, dry spots in moist areas, or dead vegetation may indicate a gas leak. Listen – A hissing sound near a natural gas pipeline or appliance may indicate a leak. Smell –Natural gas has a unique odor added to it so you can be aware of a leak through your sense of smell. If you suspect a gas leak, take action: Leave immediately – Do not try to find or stop the leak. Get to a safe area. Do not smoke, use phones, turn appliances or lights on or off, or operate any equipment that could spark. Call – Once you are out of the area where a gas leak is suspected For any additional information regarding Tennessee One-Call Center services, please feel free to call 811 or visit www.tnonecall.com. Further information on natural gas can be obtained at www.mntg.com.

Judge Susan Melton presided over Cannon County General Sessions Court on Tuesday. Some of the results from the various cases which appeared on the docket included: Clayton Cochren was bound over to the May, 2008 term of the Cannon County Grand Jury. He is charged with felony vandalism, evading arrest, reckless endangerment and driving on a suspended license. Ricky Cantrell was bound over to the May, 2008 term of the Cannon County Grand Jury. He is charged with criminal impersonation. Danny Ray Prater pled guilty to the charge of driving under the influence 2nd offense. He was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days in the county jail. That sentence was partially suspended upon an equal amount of time on probation, serving 45 days in jail, paying a $600.00 fine and paying the court costs. In addition, he will lose his license for 2 years. Justin Kyle Whittemore pled guilty to the charge of alcohol underage. He was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days in the county jail. That sentence was suspended upon an equal amount of time on probation, paying a $50.00 fine and the court costs. Dustin Lee Reed pled guilty to the charge of simple possession of marijuana. He was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days in the county jail. That sentence was suspended upon an equal amount of time on probation, paying a $250.00 fine and paying the court costs. In addition, he will submit to drug screens. Brandon Grafton pled guilty to the charge of domestic assault. He was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days in jail. He was ordered to serve his entire sentence. Randall Furlow pled guilty to the charge of violation of probation. His probation was extended and he was ordered to serve 30 days in jail. Michael Vincent pled guilty to the charge of driving under the influence. He was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days in jail. That sentence was partially suspended upon serving 11 months, 29 days in jail, serving 13 days in jail and paying a $350.00 fine. In addition, he was ordered to pay the court costs and he will lose his driver’s license for a year. In another case, Vincent pled guilty to the charge of driving on a revoked license. He was sentenced to 6 months in jail. That sentence was partially suspended upon an equal amount of time on probation, serving 2 days in jail, paying a $50.00 fine and paying the court costs. Timothy Estes pled guilty to the charge of driving under the influence 2nd offense. He was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days in the county jail and ordered to serve his entire sentence. In another case, Estes pled guilty to the charge of simple possession of marijuana. He was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days in jail and also ordered to serve that entire sentence. Eddie Shane Markum pled guilty to the charge of assault. He was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days in jail. That sentence was suspended upon an equal amount of time on probation and paying the court costs.

Eunice Stephens, 85 died Tuesday, May 6th. She was a resident of Woodbury and a native of Cannon County. Survivors include a special friend and caretaker Etta Williams; nephew, Dick Morris of California; cousins, Lillian Wallace of Alabama, Lucille Tenpenny and Bill Moore both of Woodbury. Funeral services for Eunice Stephans will be graveside at Riverside Cemetery Wednesday, May 7th, at 2:00pm. Bro. Al Bugg, Jr. will conduct the service. Smith Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. www.smithfuneralhomewoodbury.net

Governor Phil Bredesen has approved a $15,000 Three-Star Innovation Grant for the Cannon County Three-Star Program. The grant will be applied toward a community-wide web development project. “Innovation Grants make it possible for Three-Star Programs to approach development opportunities in a new way,” Governor Bredesen said. “Laying a foundation of community excellence is at the heart of economic development, and these grants help bring that mission to life.” The Three-Star Innovation Grant encourages Tennessee’s Three-Star communities to explore unique projects, programs, activities and technologies that enhance overall community or economic development. “Innovation Grants are a valuable tool for communities who have ahead-of-the-curve ideas and just need a little help getting started,” Rep. Stratton Bone said. “Cannon County is so pleased to receive this grant, and we can’t wait to see the dividends this investment pays for our community.” “The Governor and I are pleased to offer our support to these communities through the Innovation Grant,” said Matt Kisber, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. “Coming up with a creative way to address a challenge can be the most important step in the development process, and Cannon County has done just that.” To receive the Innovation Grant, the community has agreed to provide a 10 percent match. The total project cost is $16,666. The grant was approved following an application by the Cannon County Chamber of Commerce and has the support of local officials, along with Representative Stratton Bone and Senator Mae Beavers. Tennessee’s Three-Star program helps urban and rural communities develop strategic economic and community development plans that meet the needs and challenges of an ever-changing economic environment. The program helps communities preserve existing employment, create new employment opportunities, improve family income and develop a strong leadership base for economic development. Communities receiving certification as a Three-Star community have reached a variety of benchmarks in organizational, community, business, education and work force development categories.