2009 In Review: Beer Sales OK’d, Parker Returns, Lions Make Playoffs



2009 has quickly passed and we would like to share some of the highlights.

JANUARY

Chancellor Robert E. Corlew dismissed the appeal case brought by former CCHS teacher and Assistant Principal Michael Mayfield.

The Cannon County Volunteer Fire Departments through a grant from FEMA received funds totaling $101,034.00

The State Depart of Transportation announced funding for the second leg of the Highway 70S project from McMinnville to Centertown. The road will eventually connect with Billy West Road. Seven miles of the project, that would have eventually connected with John Bragg Highway just west of The Arts Center was cut from the project.

The County Commission meeting in regular session passed a Resolution to name the bridge at the top of Auburntown hill on Highway 145 in honor of 1st Lt. Frank B. Walkup, IV, who was killed in Iraq in 2007 while serving in the U.S. Army.

The T.B.I. captured one of their Ten Most Wanted, Toby Lynn Young, 29, who was wanted on outstanding warrants in Cannon and DeKalb counties. He had been on the Top Ten List since October 2008.

The Grand Jury returned 35 true bills, 11 sealed indictments and two no true bills.

Samantha Woodin was awarded the 2008 Clayton Glenn Scholarship from First National Bank.

FEBRUARY

The Adams Memorial Library Association was awarded a check for $100,000 from the State of Tennessee to be used for their expansion project.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen for the Town of Woodbury took the first step in repealing an ordinance passed in 1942 that abolished the legal sale of beer in the corporate limits. The Board passed on first reading Ordinance #421 which will legalize the sale and consumption of beer.

A Rutherford County jury convicted Tina Williamson on charges of Second Degree Murder, Felony Murder and Especially Aggravated Robbery in the August 2007 shooting death of General (Jack) Rains, a former Woodbury city policeman and State Trooper.

Former Woodbury Police Officer and currently Rutherford County Sheriff’s Detective Bill Sharp graduated from the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Through a Homeland Security Grant secured by Congressman Bart Gordon, the six Cannon County volunteer fire departments will receive a $28,000 grant for equipment.

MARCH

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen for the Town of Woodbury tabled Ordinance #421 on second reading which would have allowed the sale and consumption of beer in the city limits.

Teachers Gay Burger of East Side, Faye Naylor of West Side and Paulette Acres were selected Teachers of the Year for grades K-5, 5 to 8 and high school.

Through a grant made possible U. S. Rep. Bart Gordon, Cannon County will receive funds totaling $150,000 for the purchase and installation of new windows at the Courthouse and police equipment for the Sheriff’s Department.

Dr. Kirk Bowles joined the staff at Stones River Hospital Specialty Clinic.

DKM (Parker Brothers) Farm in the Ivy Bluff community was honored as a Tennessee Century Farm by the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University.

APRIL

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen for the Town of Woodbury passed on second reading an Ordinance to permit beer sales in the corporate limits of the city, repealing a referendum passed in 1942.

Bill Smith and The Old Feed Store (Mike and Debbie Vaughn) were recognized by the Cumberland Business Journal for their 2009 Ovation Awards.

Director of Schools Edd Diden submitted his resignation at the Board’s regular meeting on April 9.

At a sentencing hearing in Rutherford County, Woodbury resident Tina Williamson was sentenced to life in prison for the 2007 slaying of General “Jack” Rains, a former Woodbury Police officer.

Nolan (Dude) Northcutt was honored at the Adams Memorial Library Association annual “Roast”.

A father and son were arrested on Big Hill Road by Warren and Cannon County Sheriff’s Departments on marijuana charges.

MAY

The Board of Education chose former 1970’s principal at Woodbury Central High School, Elam Carlton as their interim Director of Schools.

The Courier celebrated their 125th birthday the first week of May.

Samantha Curtis and Christopher Bowman were chosen Valedictorian and Salutatorian at Cannon County High School for the 2008-2009 school term.

The Board of Aldermen for the Town of Woodbury issued six beer permits for the sale of package and on-site consumption at their May meeting. Beer has not been sold inside the corporate limits of the Town since September 1942.

Woodland Elementary School Principal Charley Heath retired at the close of the school year after 31 years service to the local school system.

JUNE

The Grand Jury met in regular session and returned 11 true bills, two sealed indictments and one no true bill.

Quention Nash was selected as the recipient of the 2009 Billy Smith / Cannon County Churches of Christ Bible Scholarship at Freed-Hardeman University.

Potter’s Ace Hardware opened their Woodbury store in the building adjacent to Smithson’s Piggly Wiggly on South McCrary Street.

Former Administrator of Elections Mary Lynn Bush, filed a lawsuit against the Cannon County Election Commission. Bush was fired in April by the newly appointed Republican-controlled Commission.

The County Commission met in special session to pass year-end budget amendments and a continuing budget until regular Commission meeting in July.

JULY

The Cannon County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant on a residence and found a large amount of marijuana and cash. Two local men were arrested at the scene.

West Side Elementary teacher Mrs. Annie Cox, 86, died after suffering a stroke in April. She had taught school for over 60 years.

The Board of Education named Barbara Parker as the new Director of Schools succeeding former Director Edd Diden.

Bill Smith was honored by the Tennessee Bankers Association.

The County Commission met in regular session and passed the budget for fiscal year 2009-2010 with the same $2.32 tax rate as last year.

State Rep. Stratton Bone and State Senator Mae Beavers announced the awarding of grant funding for The Arts Center in the amount of $27,220 for fiscal year 2009-2010. The Cannon Association of Craft Artists also received a grant totaling $7,900.

AUGUST

After serving as Owner-Editor-Publisher of the Cannon Courier for 14 years, Andy Bryson sold the paper to Ron Fryar of McMinnville. Fryar was the former Publisher of the Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro and Southern Standard in McMinnville for many years. The transaction became official Tuesday, July 28, 2009.

CCHS Lions opened the 2009 season with 14-42 loss to Spring Hill but showed promise with 37-7 win at West Creek.

Rita Allen of Normandy was appointed the new Library Director for the County.

Local leader Bill Smith was inducted to the Leaders in Banking Excellence Program.

Congressman Bart Gordon held a town hall meeting at MTSU to address constituent concerns about health care reform while Senator Bob Corker met with Cannon County citizens at the Senior Center.

S.A.V.E. Domestic Violence Support Group kicked off their annual fundraising festival, S.A.V.E-fest at Dillon Park.

Marilyn Greene and Gerry Campbell were arrested for a large underground marijuana growing operation.

SEPTEMBER

White Oak Craft Fair celebrated its 20th year outside the Arts Center.

Following a student proposal, the Board of Education greenlit the Woodbury Greenway Project. Congressman Bart Gordon and County Executive Mike Gannon also endorsed the efforts.

CCHS Lions follow two losses with a win against York in their second district game of the season. Trailing 0-14 at the half, this was the game Coach Schrenk and others consider to be the turning point of the season when the Lions came back to win 20-14. The Lions next defeated MTCS 26-6.

Cannon County residents Nina Mayfield-Odom, Doyle Mooneyham, and Angela Trisler were arrested on numerous charges related to TennCare fraud and illegal distribution of prescription drugs.

The Grand Jury returned 41 true bills and 16 sealed indictments.

OCTOBER

The Woodbury Police Department received a $25,000 grant from the International Association of Chiefs of Police for their efforts at highway safety.

Annual Color of Fall Car show was held on the Woodbury Town Square.

The Cannon County Commission approved all county owned land for the Greenway Project.

Forthcoming restaurant Scoreboard was granted a beer license. It would be the first business to serve beer on the square.

Chris Estes of Auburntown was arrested along with two others for the shooting death of a Wilson County man.

In football, the Lions scored a win over Livingston 22-6 in a district game, lost 14-20 to Scott Co., but followed with a victory over Smith Co. that bolstered playoff hopes for the team. Next the Lions defeated the Upperman Bees 35-7 to become district champions in the “Cannon County Mud Bowl.”

NOVEMBER

Representative Stratton Bone was honored as the Tennessee Forestry Association’s 2009 Legislator of the Year for his work in preserving the state’s forests for environmental, scenic, and productive benefit.

CCHS Lions 2009 season comes to a close with a loss to the Harpeth Indians in their first playoff game in 15 years. Fans and players hope the team hits the ground running in 2010.

Michael Clay Johnson dies from injuries sustained in a wreck after falling asleep at the wheel.

The Humane Society of the United States and the Cannon County Sheriff’s Department joined forces to rescue 84 horses from a Cannon County property. Charles and Clint Howland were charged with misdemeanors in the incident.

DECEMBER

State Rep. Janis Sontany announced plans for legislation to include animal starvation in the felony penalty statutes as a direct result of the Howland Case wherein misdemeanors were the strongest applicable charges.

A fire on South McCrary Street destroyed a Consignment Shop and the CannonWire headquarters.

Work began on the Courthouse Revitalization Project which includes installation of new drainage pipes and a reworking of the sidewalk layout.

Three suspects were apprehended by the Woodbury Police Department after approaching FirstBank with masks on their face in what many assume to be some sort of prank.

A $3000 grant was awarded to The Cannon County Senior Center by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to help fund emergency meals for those no longer able to shop or cook for themselves.

2010 Tennessee Gubernatorial Candidates Bill Haslam and Zach Wamp make early campaign stops at Joe’s Place on the square in Woodbury to meet with voters and discuss their visions for the State’s future.

Two deputies left the Cannon County Sheriff’s Office, Greg Fauls was fired for poor performance and failure to conform to department requirements and Aaron Hillis resigned after an incident of gross misconduct involving a personal relationship.

Courier reader Ken Wilson attempted to allege corruption in the CCSO through the Courier’s online Member Opinion section and had his comment moderated due to lack of evidence. Wilson protested the following Saturday along the square with a message that the “Courier doesn’t support your first amendment.”

A stolen and poorly disguised truck was recovered by the Woodbury Police after being taken for a “test drive” by Marty J. Cooper and never returned. In addition to the vehicle theft charge, Mr. Cooper was charged with vandalism over $1000 for his attempt to paint and disguise the truck.

After more than 25 years of public service, TN 6th District Congressman Bart Gordon announced that he would not seek re-election in 2010 -- surprising constituents on both sides of the aisle and further heating up the 2010 elections in Tennessee.

The death of Jim Frazier was attributed to an alcohol overdose after blood alcohol tests reveal a B.A.C. of .40.

Short Mountain Music Works held an Open House to commemorate the decade and a half restoration of an early 20th century Wurlitzer Caroussel Organ.