Middle School Baseball, Softball Tournament Coming to Hendersonville

The Hendersonville Standard reports that Hendersonville has been chose to host the Tennessee Middle School Athletic Association to host the 2021 state baseball and softball tournaments.

The City of Hendersonville has been selected by the Tennessee Middle School Athletic Association as the host of the Inaugural Middle School baseball and softball state tournaments to be held at Drakes Creek Park May 21-22, 2021. 

“We are extremely excited to be partnering with the staff at the TSSAA (Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association) and TMSAA to bring this event to Hendersonville,” Hendersonville Parks Director Andy Gilley said. “Our department is very grateful for the support of the HendersonvilleBoard of Mayor and Aldermen and the Sumner County Tourism Office. Without the support of these two groups, putting bids together to bring these events to our city would not be possible.”

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Masked in Metro

Residents of Nashville are being asked to wear masks when out in public as city leaders extend a "Stay Home" order, Fox 17 reports:

Davidson County residents are urged to wear face masks in public as part of a new Metro Order issued Thursday.

Metro Health issued the order that urges, but odes not mandate, all residents to wear face coverings in public.

This comes as Mayor John Cooper has extended a Safer at Home order in Davidson County until May 8. It' keeps all non-essential businesses closed.

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That Curve Ain't Flat

Even as physicians indicate Tennessee is not yet ready to re-open, a visual analysis of data about COVID-19 cases suggests Sumner County's curve is not getting very flat.

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Not Ready to Open

The Chattanooga Times-Free Press reports that a group of physicians is advising Tennesseans to continue to stay home amid the COVID-19 pandemic, despite Gov. Bill Lee suggesting Tennessee is ready to "re-open."

A group of more than 2,000 physicians in Tennessee is urging residents to stay physically distant to stop the spread of COVID-19 as the state moves to reopen its economy.

Since the coronavirus — which is five times more infectious than the flu — does not have a vaccine, the only way to stop the spread is to stay apart, said Dr. Aaron Milstone, a pulmonary specialist treating COVID-19 patients in Williamson County.

“To my fellow Tennesseans, you’re definitely hearing mixed messages about whether or not it’s open and safe to reopen our economy and engage in business again. Let us be clear, it is not,” Milstone said.

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Maybe You CAN Get Your Hair Done?!

House Republican Caucus Chair Jeremy Faison tweeted yesterday that it looks like hair salons, barbershops, etc. WILL be able to open on May 6th.

https://twitter.com/JeremyFaison4TN/status/1255514046830391299?s=20

Details to follow?!

The Order

The latest Executive Order from Gov. Bill Lee on COVID19 -- Sumner is among the 89 counties "re-opening"

Executive Order 30

Executive Order 30 supersedes and repeals Executive Order Nos. 17, 21, 22, 23, 27, and 29, effective Wednesday, April 29, but does not affect Executive Order No. 25 concerning dental and medical procedures, which is currently effective until April 30.

• The order allows Tennesseans and businesses to return to work in all industries where that can be safely accomplished by following health guidelines, while urging employers to allow or require remote work/telework if possible.
• Tennesseans are urged to continue limiting activity and staying home as much as possible to preserve and build on the health progress we’ve made.
• All employers and businesses that choose to open are expected to comply with the Governor’s Economic Recovery Group (ERG) Guidelines for operating safely, as well as general health guidelines from the CDC and other government entities.
• Social and recreational gatherings of 10 people or more are prohibited, including but not limited to festivals, fairs, parades, youth and adult sporting events, and overnight summer youth camps.
• This does not cover places of worship, for which there will be guidelines for safe operation of worship services and gatherings if in-person services are conducted, but the order strongly encourages places of worship to continue virtual or online services where possible.
• This does not prohibit weddings and funerals, but encourages postponement of large-gathering components of such events.
• Entertainment and recreational gathering venues must remain closed to the public for now, including, but not limited to, bars, night clubs, live performance venues, bowling alleys, arcades, concert and sporting event venues, theaters, auditoriums, performing arts centers, racetracks, indoor children’s play areas, adult entertainment venues, amusement parks, senior centers, and skating rinks.
• Limited service restaurants can serve food to customers seated at tables but must follow the ERG Guidelines for restaurants in doing so.
• Close-contact personal service businesses must remain closed to the public for now, including, but not limited to, barber shops, salons, spas, body-art/tattoo services, tanning salons, and massage facilities.
• Nursing homes and similar retirement and long-term-care facilities must remain closed to visitors, except for critical assistance and in end-of-life situations.
• Persons and businesses are urged to take special care to protect and provide for the well-being of vulnerable populations, including by offering delivery or special shopping hours if possible.
• Persons with COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms are required to stay at home, and employers may not require or allow employees with COVID-19 to work.
• Persons are urged to wear a cloth face covering in places where in close proximity to others, especially where social distancing is difficult.
• Take-out and delivery alcohol sales by restaurants will continue to be allowed to encourage customers to utilize take-out or delivery options.
• Local orders regarding medical or dental procedures are prohibited because preserving PPE is a question that is statewide in scale and shouldn’t be addressed differently in each county.
• For the 89 counties without a locally run county health department (all but Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, Madison, Shelby, and Sullivan), this order supersedes any contrary orders or measures, meaning that the counties cannot issue independent orders regarding the opening, closure, or operation of businesses, organizations, or venues covered by this order, though counties may continue issuing or enforcing orders or measures on other matters related to COVID-19, such as opening or closure of their governmental buildings, governing their employees, or dealing with the operation of their local government.
• The county health departments in the 6 counties with locally run county health departments (Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, Madison, Shelby, and Sullivan) shall have authority to issue orders or measures that permit or restrict to a different degree than this order the opening, closure, or operation of businesses, organizations, or venues, except for places of worship. Otherwise, this order governs on the topics it covers.

Read the full text of the order here.

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Hair Salons to Remain CLOSED

While Gov. Bill Lee is allowing gyms and fitness centers to re-open on Friday, his latest executive order requires that hair salons and other personal care businesses stay closed through May 23rd, according to WKRN:

Personal care businesses such as hair and nail salons must remain closed for the next month, according to a new executive order from Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee.

The order, published and signed by Lee on Tuesday, offers guidance for businesses deemed safe to open, but also mandates the closure of businesses including those that “perform close-contact personal services.”

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Sure, the Gym is Totally Safe

While Nashville sees a surge in COVID19 cases and Tennessee as a whole saw a tremendous spike this past weekend, Gov. Bill Lee is allowing gyms and fitness centers to re-open Friday in 89 counties, including Sumner.

More from WSMV:

Gyms will be allowed to reopen in 89 of the state's 95 counties beginning Friday. The counties excluded are those with locally-run health departments: Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, Madison, Shelby and Sullivan counties.

"Exercise is incredibly important for the physical and mental health of our population, and we want Tennesseans to have access to safe environments where they can exercise as appopriate," Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said in a news release. "These guidelines outline best practices in keeping with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and health experts for gyms to reopen in a way that will keep their employees and customers safe."

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Nashville Sees Surge in COVID19 Cases as Nearby Sumner Re-Opens

Even as suburban counties such as Sumner "re-open" per Gov. Bill Lee's plan, Nashville is seeing a surge in cases of COVID-19, reports WSMV.

The transmission rate of COVID-19 in Davidson County has increased to 1.0 after an additional 100 cases were reported on Monday. Health offiicals also reported two deaths.

The increase raised Metro's total to 2,588, an increase of 375 new cases since Saturday.

Dr. Alex Jahangir said it was likely the Safer at Home order for Nashville would be extended because of the data.

"May 1 is Friday and, as we've discussed, we'll probably extend the order for sometime," said Jahangir on Tuesday. "I don't have an answer for when that is and, and I have mentioned, we'll try to give everyone enough leadway to when that is."

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Tracking COVID19 in Tennessee

Total number of cases in the state approaching 10,000, total deaths nearing 200. This past weekend saw the largest surge in number of cases even as Gov. Bill Lee prepares to "re-open" Tennessee this week.

Here's more from the Nashville Post:

The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed 9,918 cases of COVID-19 across the state, up 251 cases from the number on Sunday afternoon. 

Nearly 6,900 tests were processed and reported during the same time frame, bringing the statewide total to 154,400 people tested — nearly one for every 44 Tennessee residents. 

Across the state, 837 individuals have been hospitalized and 184 people have died. Those numbers are up nine and three, respectively, since Sunday

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Lee Reopens TN as COVID-19 Cases Jump

Tennessee saw the largest one-day spike in COVID-19 cases even as Gov. Bill Lee has announced the phased "re-opening" of Tennessee this week. Here's more on the spike in cases from the Associated Press:

Tennessee has reported its biggest one-day jump in confirmed coronavirus cases as the state continues to increase testing efforts.

The Tennessee Department of Health said there were at least 9,667 confirmed cases as of Sunday. The 478 new cases represents a 5.2% jump from Saturday’s total. The Tennessean reports it’s the highest number of new virus cases recorded in one day in the state.

At least 181 people have died from the virus in Tennessee.

Meanwhile, Hendersonville Mayor Jamie Clary has announced his city will also proceed with a reopening. 

Of course, some residents of Sumner County are stockpiling guns to shoot the virus.

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Clary Talks COVID

In a Facebook post on his personal page, Hendersonville Mayor Jamie Clary posted about the "reopening" of Hendersonville pursuant to Gov. Bill Lee's stated plans. Here's what he had to say:

Davidson County is NOT included in the governor’s plan to re-open businesses in Tennessee. We do not follow Davidson County. We cannot follow Davidson County.

Sumner County, including Hendersonville, IS included in the Governor’s Plan because we have a state-operated health department. As mayor, I have to follow the governor’s plan.

When Governor Lee announced Phase One of his plan, he stated, “Tennessee restaurants are able to reopen Monday (April 27) at 50 percent occupancy. Additionally, Tennessee retailers are able to reopen on Wednesday (April 29) at 50 percent occupancy. He included several restrictions on these businesses. I have listed those restrictions below.

The governor’s office will be providing guidance this week regarding churches, gyms, and medical procedures. Close contact services including salons and barber shops will not re-open until Phase Two. The governor will address those businesses later this week, and I will distribute the information as soon as I receive it.

Thank you for your patience.

Protecting restaurant employees:
•Wear face coverings and gloves
•Report any symptoms of illness to supervisor
•Follow daily sanitation protocols

Protecting restaurant customers:
•Limit occupancy to 50% of seating capacity
•Space tables 6 feet apart
•Limit seating to 6 per table
•Use social distancing standards in waiting areas
•Keep bar areas closed
•No live music
•Screen customers with basic questions about COVID-19 symptoms

Protecting restaurant business operations:
•Sanitize all front-of-house contact surfaces every two hours
•Use disposable menus or sanitize menus between each use
•Use rolled silverware/napkins stored in sealed bins
•Sanitize chairs and all tabletop items after each table turn
•Do not offer self-serve buffets, shared condiments, or beverage station re-use
•Provide ServSafeCOVID-19 training for all food handlers

Protecting retail employees:
•Wear dedicated cloth face coverings, gloves, and other personal protection items as recommended by the CDC
•Report any symptoms of illness to supervisor
•Provide training on personal protective equipment based on CDC guidelines
•Sanitize hands with soap and/or hand sanitizer
•Stagger shifts, breaks, and meals to maintain social distancing

Protecting retail customers:
•Limit customer occupancy to 50% of store capacity
•Customers should wear face coverings inside stores
•Consider shopping hours for the elderly, medically vulnerable, and health care workers
•Establish one-way aisles and traffic patterns for social distancing
•Increase curbside, pickup, and delivery service options
•Prompt customers regarding the importance of social distancing

Protecting retail business operations:
•Establish enhanced cleaning protocols that follow CDC guidelines
•Designate separate entrances and exits
•Use plastic shields or barriers at checkout between the customer and clerk
•Adjust store hours to allow time for enhanced cleaning
•Prohibit the use of reusable bags
•Suspend “self-service” food stations and dining areas
•Suspend the sampling of food and personal hygiene products
•Management-level employees should monitor compliance
•Add social distancing “reminder” signage and announcements

He didn't mention that Sumner County has the third highest number of cases in TN and the second highest number of deaths.

Of course, some residents are preparing to "shoot the virus."

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One More Week

Hendersonville city leaders have announced the "Stay at Home" order will be in effect for the city for at least one more week, the Tennessean reports:

The City of Hendersonville will remain under a declared state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic for another week.

Mayor Jamie Clary extended the state of emergency, which will now remain in place through May 1, according to a notice issued Friday.

Sumner County has been one of those most impacted by the novel coronavirus outbreak, tallying 556 confirmed cases Thursday, the most recent data available from the Tennessee Department of Health. That’s out of 8,266 cases statewide.

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Just Shoot the Virus

The Portland Sun reports that Sumner County residents are prepared to take on COVID-19 with guns. While possibly a better suggestion than President Trump's proposal to inject people with Lysol or Clorox, it's not clear whether shooting at Coronavirus actually works to slow the spread. (HINT: IT DOESN'T).

Here's more:

Gun sales have increased since the beginning of March, according to one Sumner County gun shop. 

Owner of Sumner Gun & Supply Ken Winter says that since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, gun sales have increased drastically for both first time gun buyers and gun enthusiasts. 

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While Sumner Countians are stocked up on guns (and maybe Lysol), Gov. Bill Lee plans to "re-open" Tennessee next week, including at dine-in restaurants. Sumner County is among the locations "allowed" to re-open, and there's been no word from local leaders that they'll extend "Stay Home" orders beyond what Lee proposes. This despite Sumner County having the third-highest number of cases in the state and the second-highest number of COVID-19 deaths.

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NO Strawberry Festival in 2020

The Tennessean reports that the Portland Strawberry Festival has been cancelled for this year and will return (hopefully) in 2021.

Portland city leaders are looking at hosting a fall event to celebrate a return to normalcy after the coronavirus pandemic since they’ve been forced to cancel the 79th annual strawberry festival, which was scheduled for May 8-9. 

Portland’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to cancel the strawberry festival during their regular Monday night meeting, which was streamed live online

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MHMS Named #3 High School in America

U.S. News is out with the latest rankings of the top high schools in America. This year, the publication named Sumner County's Merrol Hyde Magnet School as number 3 in the nation. For the first time, MHMS also claimed the top spot in the State of Tennessee, beating out Central Magnet in Murfreeboro and Hume Fogg and MLK in Nashville.

Here's MORE from U.S. News

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Lee Set to "Re-Open" Tennessee Even as COVID19 Nears Peak

While Sumner County has the third-highest number of Coronavirus cases in Tennessee and the second-highest number of deaths, Gov. Bill Lee today announced plans to "re-open" Tennessee in 89 of 95 counties, including Sumner, by May 1st.

Here's his announcement:

Today, Governor Bill Lee announced the order for Tennesseans to remain at home will expire April 30, with the vast majority of businesses in 89 counties allowed to re-open on May 1.

“Our Economic Recovery Group is working with industry leaders around the clock so that some businesses can open as soon as Monday, April 27,” said Gov. Lee. “These businesses will open according to specific guidance that we will provide in accordance with state and national experts in both medicine and business.”

The Lee Administration will work with Shelby, Madison, Davidson, Hamilton, Knox and Sullivan counties and their health departments as they plan their own re-open strategies.

“While I am not extending the safer at home order past the end of April, we are working directly with our major metropolitan areas to ensure they are in a position to reopen as soon and safely as possible,” said Lee. “Social distancing works, and as we open up our economy it will be more important than ever that we keep social distancing as lives and livelihoods depend on it.”

The Economic Recovery Group (ERG), composed of 30 leaders from the public and private sector is crafting guidance to assist businesses in a safe reopening. The industry representatives participating in the ERG collectively represent over 140,000 Tennessee businesses that employ over 2.5M Tennesseans. More information about ERG is available here.

Meanwhile, the Tennessee Department of Health indicates Sumner County is effectively a COVID-19 hotspot.

It's unclear whether Sumner County leaders, who challenged the Department of Health over the re-opening of Gallatin Healing and Rehab, will take on Gov. Lee and extend a Stay Home order for Sumner County well into May.

Officially, Sumner County Mayor Anthony Holt's "Safer at Home" Order ends on April 23rd.

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HPD Warns of Phone Scam

The Hendersonville Police Department is warning of a local phone scam, according to a story in the Hendersonville Standard:

Last week the city received multiple reports from persons who had received a call from someone claiming to be a Hendersonville police officer.

The caller informed the person they had called that they had a warrant for failing to appear in court and requested the person go to the store and purchase gift cards that they would then accept as payment to satisfy the warrant. 

The Hendersonville Police Department would like to remind citizens that calls like these are a scam and that law enforcement officers will not call you on the phone and request payment or that you go buy gift cards to satisfy an outstanding warrant. 

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Auto Renewal Deadline Extended

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, vehicle registrations due in March and April have been extended to June 15th, the Portland Sun reports.

Motor vehicle renewals due in March or April have been extended to June 15, 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor Bill Lee extended the deadline for obtaining these renewals through Executive Order No. 15.

“We appreciate our continued partnership with Tennessee’s 95 county clerks in administering vehicle title and registration across the state,” Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano said. “We hope this extension of time will alleviate people’s concerns about renewing their registrations in the near term, so they can focus on their health and safety.”

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EXTENDED

NewsChannel5 has the story of Sumner County Mayor Anthony Holt extending the emergency order in the county until April 23rd.

 — Sumner County Mayor Anthony Holt has again extended the county’s emergency declaration.

 Holt said Friday morning the order had been extended through April 23. The emergency declaration was first issued on March 20.

 Sumner County will continue running essential government functions. Residents were asked to conduct business over the phone or online when possible.

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Sumner Schools CLOSED

After Governor Bill Lee recommended that Tennessee school districts close for the remainder of this school year, Sumner County Schools announced the district will follow the recommendation and close for this year. The Hendersonville Standard has more:

Sumner County schools will remain closed for the remainder of the school year, Director of Schools Dr. Del Phillips announced on Wednesday.

The announcement came shortly after Gov. Bill Lee recommended all school districts remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sumner County students last attended school on March 13.

“We are taking this proactive step to help keep our schools, students, families, employees and communities healthy and safe,” Phillips said in a statement.

Phillips added that the school district will continue providing instructional resources and assistance through Sumner Connect, a distance learning platform, until at least May 22 – the last scheduled instructional day.

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Elkins Named Lady Bucs Coach

Main Street Preps has the story of Lauran Elkins being named the Head Basketball Coach for the Beech Lady Bucs:

The Beech girls basketball program announced Thursday, April 9 that Lauran Elkins would take over as girls basketball coach, effective immediately. She is the seventh coach in Lady Buccaneer program history. 

Elkins replaces former coach and Athletic Director Kristi Utley, who stepped down after four seasons in March. 

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