Independent Appeal Newspaper No 2 January 2023

INDEPENDENT APPEAL

Blue Devils County Champions

Blue Devils & Lady Cardinals County Champs 2023

THE LADY Cardinals and Blue Devils were crowned County Champions on Monday night January 23, the final night of the McNairy County Middle School Basketball Tournament 2023.

Leading off with their game was the Bethel Springs Lady Rebels against Adamsville Jr. Lady Cardinals.

Playing hard to the last minute of the game is what the Lady Rebels and the Lady Cardinals did, during the final game of girls tournament. It was a nail bitter until the very end as the crowd roared at many points

cheering on their respective teams.

As the end of the first quarter came to and end the teams were tied. Then in the second and third quarters the Lady Cardinals pulled ahead. But in the fourth quarter the Lady Rebels took the lead again. And this lead ran up to the last minutes of the game. The crowd was cheering, tension was high, turnovers were made. With a three point shot and a free throw for the Lady Cardinals, it put them one point ahead of the Lady Rebels to win the champi-

onship. Lady Cardinals 36, Lady Rebels 35.

Top scorers for the Lady Cardinals were Haylee Whittermore with 19 points and Hayley Beth Brewer with 9 points. Tops scorers for the Lady Rebels were Baylee Brown with 21 points and Maycee Gilbert with 9 points.

As the Adamsville Jr Cardinals and the Michie Blue Devil boys had their last and final game of the season, the tension was high. Some knew, or thought they knew, who the winner would be. As the game went on, the lead changed and minds

were changed.

The Cardinals took their only lead of the night in the first quarter. After that the Blue Devils took the lead and held the lead throughout the game. Ending with an eight point spread. Blue Devils 56, Cardinals 48.

The Blue Devils hit 13 out 25 free shots and the Cardinals hit 9 out of 12. Top scorers for the Cardinals were Lucas Hughes with 16 points and Maddox Freeman with 10 points. Top scorers for the Blue Devils were Ty Whitten with 27 points and Skylar Hollan with 10.

Lady Cardinals 2023 Champions

Avian Influenza detected in West Tennessee flock

Animal health officials have estimated a 6.2 mile control zone surrounding the affected facility. Within the zone, poultry will be tested and monitored for illness and poultry movement requires permitting until the zone is released.

THE TENNESSEE State Veterinarian reported a detection of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial broiler chicken flock at a farm in Weakley County.

Following a sudden spike in bird deaths, lab tests confirmed the presence of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza.

HPAI is highly a transmissible disease known to be deadly for domesticated fowl. Fowl can be exposed to HPAI through human interactions and through contact with wild birds.

Since September 2022, HPAI cases in Tennessee have sickened domesticated chickens, geese, ducks, and turkeys in Bledsoe, Davidson, Obion, Tipton and Weakley counties. HPAI

has also been found in wild birds, including ducks, geese, vultures, and eagles in the state.

According to Dr. Samantha Beaty, Tennessee State Veterinarian, HPAI continues to spread to farms of all sizes. “There have been four previous detections in Weakley County affecting backyard flocks. It is apparent the disease remains a threat to the industry. We want bird owners to know that their consistent practice of through biosecurity measures is the best way to protect the health of their flocks.

Introduction of this disease can be from wild birds gathering on your property or you can carry it into your flock if you are not wearing clean shoes and clothing.”

Animal Health staff are contacting poultry owners within the control zone to answers questions and provide information. If you have concerns about your flock or location, please call 615-837-5120 to speak to a staff member.

HPAI does not pose a food safety risk, no infected poultry will be allowed to enter the food supply. The risk of human infection is very low. No transmission to humans was reported during the outbreaks that affected commercial poultry farms in Tennessee. More than 600 family farms in Tennessee contribute to the commercial poultry industry. The state is a global leader for primary breeders, and an estimated 45 percent of the chicken consumed worldwide traces to genetics from Tennessee operations. Broiler chickens are among the state's top agricultural commodities, generating $376.2 million in cash receipts in 2021.

ZED by Duane M. Abel www.corkeycomics.com

Dare to Live Without Limits — Effective Communications

BY BRYAN GOLDEN CONTRIBUTOR

COMMUNICATING

effectively is essential for getting your ideas across, being understood, and being able to convey what you need or want. Effective communicators enjoy many benefits. They build trust, prevent or resolve problems, are clearly understood, have better interpersonal relationships, and have less frustration and stress. Poor communications result in distrust, misunderstandings, stress, people doing the wrong thing, anger, and bitterness.

Communication can take place in-person, over the phone, in a memo or letter, or via email or text. Communication is most effective in-person because

both verbal and non-verbal cues are at work.

When you are communicating face to face the other person hears what is being said, how it’s being said, and can see the body language which accompanies the message.

For your message to be best understood, what you say should match how you say it.

Your words, tone, attitude, and body language should all be consistent and reinforce each other. When your verbal and non-verbal messages conflict, people tend to believe the non-verbal over the verbal.

Effective in-person communication requires you to be a good listener as well as being perceptive. Watch and listen to verify whether or not your message is being accurately received. Ask questions to make sure

you are understood.

The next most effective form of communication is verbal only, such as a phone call. Although you don’t have the visual component, you do have verbal cues such as tone of voice and intonation. When on the phone, listen carefully without being distracted. Ask questions to verify that you have been understood.

The least effective form of communications is written. There is no immediate feedback as to how your message was received, if it was read in its entirety, or if it was accurately understood. Written communication should be your last choice, used only if in-person, or verbal communication is not an option.

Never communicate, in any form, when angry or upset. Your thinking is

Independent Appeal moves to online-only format

THE LARGEST newspaper in McNairy County, The Independent Appeal, announced on Dec. 28, 2022, that it is discontinuing its print edition.

In a sudden announcement, the owner of the Independent Appeal, Janet Rail, said the paper hoped to continue sharing news and has decided to go to an online only format.

The rising printing costs

and the growing number of newspapers moving to an online format as well as readers is one of the reasons for the move. In addition to family health concerns.

The trend of newspapers moving to an online format is not uncommon in the industry. Many readers are accustomed to getting news on social media sites and newspapers across

not clear or rational. You will say things you’ll later regret. When you are upset, always allow time to calm down before communicating

Regardless of the communication form there are several tenets you should follow to maximize the effectiveness of your message. First and foremost is think before you speak or write. Have a specific objective in mind. Avoid saying or writing anything which does not work toward your objective. Being polite, kind, and courteous typically gets the best results.

Choose you words wisely. Never be flippant. Your message once delivered, especially in writing, cannot be retracted. Any type of electronic communication should be considered permanent, and public.

Before speaking in-per-

the country have moved to present more online options for readers. With this move, we hope to offer more local coverage on a daily basis and post news as it occurs offering better coverage overall.

We hope you will adapt with us as we move to better serve McNairy County in a different way. Telling our stories remains a priority.

SUNRISE - Good Grief

BY DAVID COY CONTRIBUTOR

IF you have ever watched the Charlie Brown Cartoon by Charles Schulz then you are familiar with one of his classic phrases ‘good grief.’ Whenever he would feel dejected or humiliated (which Lucy frequently attempted to accomplish) Charlie Brown would exclaim ‘good grief! Is there such a thing? Charlie Brown apparently did not think so. He seemed to be eternally the pessimist. Certainly he was fraught with bouts of anxiety and lack of self esteem. One of his claimed famous quotes deals with his negativity; I think I am afraid of being hap-

py because whenever I get too happy, something bad always happens. Sometimes we may get to thinking this describes us in our grief journey.

We are rising every day striving to take care of the day’s responsibilities when we have a moment of happiness and we feel guilty. It is not right for us to feel happy or at least this is what we think at that moment.

Can grief be good and just how long we are to be miserable or sad before we feel it acceptable to experience a moment of happiness? When a positive memory or an activity we are engaged in brings a smile this is not an example of real but assumed guilt. This is an example of grief pro-

gressing as it should. This is a positive movement forward, embrace it.

Grief is a powerful tutor and is the necessary consequence of loving, building an attachment, and making an investment of our life with a person or activity we have come to highly value. All relationships come with an eventual time of separation. Nothing lasts forever in this material world. If you find yourself experiencing that time of separation and you feel you would benefit from someone to walk with you in your journey with grief we are available to fulfill that role.

If we may be of service please allow us the opportunity. We are here to serve. ~David.

son or over the phone, make an outline of what you want to say. Go over it several times before communicating. Read, and reread, all written communication before sending. Whenever possible, allow time between your first and final drafts.

Clarity and brevity enhance effective communication. Be direct and to the point. Make your message as short as possible. Less is more when communicating. Long messages tend to be rambling and don’t keep the recipient’s attention. If you have a lot to communicate, consider using several, shorter communications. When writing, use short paragraphs or bullet points to convey your message.

Before responding to what someone has said or written make sure your understanding is accurate. If you are not sure

about what’s being conveyed, ask questions for clarification. Problems are created or worsened when each person has a different understanding about what is being said or written. Effective communication is always an ongoing pursuit. Following the guidelines mentioned above will help ensure your communication goals are achieved. Try for in-person communication whenever possible and use written communication only when there are no other options.

NOW

AVAILABLE: "Dare to Live Without Limits," the book. Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at bryan@columnist.com or write him c/o this paper.

Home Country

BY SLIM RANDLES CONTRIBUTOR

THERE was Steve, our resident cowboy, sitting at the round table in the Mule Barn truck stop, doodling on paper. Other members of the world dilemma think tank gravitated to Steve’s table.

Steve appeared to be oblivious of the rest of us. “Downspout,” he mumbled. Doc nodded at Herb.

“Downspout, Herb.”

“I thought so, too,” Herb said.

“Oh hi guys,” said Steve. “So Steve … downspout?”

“Hot tub,” Steve said, as if that cleared everything up.

“For the cabin. You know. I’m going to put in a hot tub.”

“And you need a downspout for this?” Herb said.

“For the rain,” Steve said. We looked at him.

“No water,” Steve said.

“You know, at the cabin.”

“Let’s see if I have this right,” Dud said. “You want to put a hot tub in at your cabin and you don’t have water.”

“Exactly.”

“So you need a downspout…?”

“For when it rains,” Steve said. “To fill the hot tub.”

“Okay. So how will you get it hot?”

“Going to wrap copper tubing around the stovepipe in the cabin, you see, and then

send it on out to the hot tub. The tub will be outside on the porch.”

“You don’t have a porch.”

“But I will by the time I get the hot tub built,” Steve explained. “I’ll bet that copper tubing will heat that water right up and then I can have a good soak up there any time I want.”

“Not quite,” said Doc. “Not the way I figure it.”

Steve looked at him. “Why not?”

“If the water comes down the downspout, around the stovepipe through the copper tubing and then outside to the hot tub, it looks to me like the only time you can soak in the tub is in a rainstorm.”

Steve thought about that for a minute. Then sipped his cold coffee. Loretta heated it up.

“And Steve,” said Doc, “you ever been on that mountain when the lightning’s popping? If you’re in that hot tub, with your moustache flopping around in the wind while you watch the surrounding countryside explode, well …”

Steve wiped out what he was drawing with the pencil and started in on a fresh napkin.

He looked up after a few minutes. “Pool table,” he said.

It’s a good thing dreams are free.

Mother-in-law planning a visit? Here’s some help. Try bagpipelessonsonline.com.

McNairy County Middle School Basketball Tournament Play 2023

On Saturday January 21, 2023, McNairy County Middle Schools held their Championship Tournament hosted at McNairy Central High School with great crowds. Starting off the tournament was the game between the Bethel Springs Lady Rebels and Ramer Lady Eagles.

Right at the beginning of the game the Lady Eagles jumped out and took the lead in the game. It was a short lived lead as the Lady Rebels gradually slid passed the Lady Eagles making it a close game to the end. Lady Rebels. 28 Lady Eagles 25.

Lady Rebels top scorers were Bailey Brown with 10 points and Macee Gilbert with 9 points. Lady Eagles top scorer was Carlee Shelton with 12 points

The second game of the day was between the Selmer Lions and Adamsville Jr Cardinals. They played tit for tat all the way to the end

Boys Jr. High Championship game

Michie Blue Devils vs. Adamsville Jr. High Cardinals. Blue Devils won county championship. Blue Devils 56, Cardinals 48

of the buzzer. The teams started off with a one point spread in the first quarter to a one point spread at the end of the fourth quarter in what was a great game to watch. Cardinals 27, Lions 26.

Top scorer for the Cardinals was J C Gray. Top scorer for the Lions was Jerdarin Campbell with 11 points. In the 3rd game of the day the Selmer Lady Lions played against Adamsville Jr Lady Cardinals. In the first half the Lady Cardinals could only get a one point gain over the Lady Lions. Then the last half of the game the Lady Cardinals gradually increased the spread to a ten point advantage. Lady Cardinals 43, Lady Lions 33.

Top scorers for the Lady Cardinals were Haylee Whitttermore with 11 points and Hayley Beth Brewer with 18 points. Top scorers for the Lady Lions were Linlee

Adamsville Jr. High Cardinals and Selmer Middle School Lions played in the 2nd game on Saturday

Davidson with 12 points and Jocelyn Barner-McGee with 8 points.

To finish up the day for the fourth and final game were the Michie Blue Devils and the Ramer Eagles.

Both teams struggled hard to push ahead of the other. At halftime the score was tied. It wasn't until after the third quarter before the Blue Devils could get a lead over the Eagles and hold it till the end of the game. Blue Devils 56, Eagles 43.

Top scorers for the Eagles were Konner Shelton with 17 points and Luke King with 15 points. Top scorers for the Blue Devils were Bradley Harris with 20 points and Skyler Hollan with 17.

The Lady Rebels and Lady Cardinals along with the Cardinals and Blue Devils were headed to the final games last Monday evening to determine who would be County Champions.

The fourth game on Saturday was the Michie Blue Devils vs The Ramer Eagles. Blue Devils 56, Eagles 43

The third game on Saturday was the Adamsville Jr. High Lady Cardinals and the Selmer Lady Lions. Lady Cardinals 43, Lady Lions 33

Adamsville Jr. High Lady Cardinals win championship game against Bethel Springs Lady Rebels. Lady Cardinals 36, Lady Rebels 35

Bobcats had rough night in loss to Eagles

AS THE MCHS basketball team, cheerleaders and fans travel to Chester County January 24, all were in hopes of a win but is just wasn't their night.

First to the court was the Lady Bobcats. It was in the first and the third quarters that the Lady Bobcats fell considerable short of the Lady Eagles that

gave the Eagles the win. The Lady Bobcats tried so hard to gain on the Lady Eagles with no success. The Lady Eagles won by 14 points. The Lady Bobcats hit 13 out of 18 free throws.

Lady Bobcats 36, Lady Eagles 50.

Top scorers for the Lady Bobcats were Maddie Kirk 13 and Bailee Shel-

Congressman Kustoff Statement on the Death of Tyre Nichols

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman David Kustoff (TN-08) released the following statement regarding the death of Tyre Nichols:

"The death of Tyre Nichols is an unfathomable tragedy. Roberta and I will continue to keep Mr. Nichols’s family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

"As a former United States Attorney, I know that the overwhelming majority of law enforcement officers are good people who put their lives on the line to protect us every day. The outrageous

ton with 10 points.

When the Bobcats came on the court they quickly took control of the game and kept control of the game till half time. Basket after basket each team fought for the win and putting a large number of scores on the board.

In the third quarter the Eagles passed

and egregious actions by officers on January 7th, 2023, that resulted in Mr. Nichols’s death should not be a reflection on our law enforcement officers in Memphis or West Tennessee.

"The Memphis Police Department was correct by swiftly terminating the officers involved. Police brutality has no place in our community or in any community. As we continue to mourn, I ask that our community remain peaceful and patient as our system of justice prosecutes and continues to investigate."

the Bobcats and kept an 11 to 12 point lead. The Eagles beat the Bobcats on the road. Bobcats hit 15 out of 20 free throws.

Bobcats 76, Eagles 88.

Top scorers for the Bobcats were Nate Moore 27, Tanner Kirk 13, Simon Whitaker 12, Ethan Johnston 11 points.

Five former Memphis police officers indicted on murder

FIVE FORMER Memphis police officers were fired for their actions during the arrest of Tyre Nichols earlier this month. They were indicted on charges including murder and kidnapping, according to Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy.

The criminal charges come three weeks after Nichols, a 29 year-old black man, was hospitalized after a traffic stop and “confrontation” with Memphis police that family attorneys have called a savage beating. Nichols died from his injuries on January 10, three days after the arrest according to authorities.

Sen. David Kustoff's statement was in reference to this story in Memphis.

Department of Mental Health celebrates successful launch of 988 suicide and crisis line

Six months of data show significant increase in outreach for help

NASHVILLE , Tenn.—The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) is releasing new data showing the response to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the state.

The three-digit number for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launched in mid-July 2022 after two years of planning, preparation, and expansion. In Tennessee, that included distributing about $2.8 million in federal funding to community-based crisis call centers to hire dozens of new staff.

The preparation paid off with about 21,000 Tennessee calls to 988 in the last six months of 2022. That’s an increase of about 500 calls per month over the previous 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number. Tennesseans are also taking advantage of 988’s ability to text

or chat. In the last half of 2022, there were nearly 10,000 texts to 988 and chats with 988lifeline.org from people in Tennessee.

“It’s never been easier to connect with mental health care in a crisis thanks to 988. Our state has an amazing network of crisis services and community mental health providers, and 988 is unlocking the door to mental health help that so many people need right now,” said TDMHSAS Commissioner Marie Williams.

“We are grateful to our community partners who expanded to meet the demand and continue to respond to needs in a caring and compassionate way.”

Even with the increased demand for assistance, Tennessee’s crisis call centers are meeting or exceeding national benchmarks for in-state answer rate and time to

answer. The federal agency that funds the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline sets targets at 90% in-state and 30 seconds. Any call that’s not answered promptly in-state rolls over to a national backup call center so that no call goes unanswered.

“The power of 988 and Tennessee’s crisis services continuum means that not only are you talking to someone in Tennessee, the call-taker is probably in your region and knows the resources and probably has personal contacts who can help,” said TDMHSAS Director of Crisis Services and Suicide Prevention Jennifer Armstrong.

After the strong start in 2022, TDMHSAS is adding additional capacity in Nashville, Knoxville, and West Tennessee utilizing $1 million in supplemental funding from the

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and existing Mental Health Block Grant Funding. The department previously expanded chat and text capabilities in September 2022 to meet the demand during peak times.

“We’ve long said that we were going to follow the data in our approach to 988, and we’ve done just that. We’re constantly learning more about how Tennesseans want to access help in a mental health crisis, and increasingly that doesn’t involve speaking to someone on the phone.,” said Matt Yancey, LCSW, TDMHSAS Deputy Commissioner for Community Behavioral Health Programs. “We’re grateful for the flexibility of our crisis call centers and their amazing staff as we work together to meet the need and connect people to care.”

Adamsville Jr. High Cardinals Runner-up

All County team players for girls were: Michie: Sophie Edwards, Anna Kate Skinner, Bella Redmon. Selmer: Linlee Davidson, Joycelyn Barnes-McGee, Elyse Atkinson. Ramer: Carlee Shelton, Kenlee Atkins, Chanley Steele. Adamsville: Haley Beth Brewer, Maddie Surratt, Haylee Whittemore. Bethel: Baylee Brown, Kenlee Crouse.

All Tournament Team for girls were Michie: Anna Kate Skinner, Sailor Smith. Selmer: Linlee Davidson,

All County Team for boys were Michie: Bradley Harris, Skylar Hollan, Ty Whitten. Adamsville: J.C. Gray, Lucas Hughes, Maddox Grant. Selmer: Jerdarian Campbell, Grant Wallace, Heisman Gray. Bethel: Cade Moore, Deuce Garner, Ridge Rankin. Ramer: Luke King, Konner Shelton, Parker Calton.

All Tournament Team boys were Michie: Ty Whitten, MVP, Bradley Harris, Skylar Hollan. Adamsville: Maddox Freeman, Carl Hall. Selmer: Jasper Hickman, Carter Craig. Bethel: Deuce Garner, Ridge Rankin. Ramer: Konner Shelton, Luke King

Bethel Springs Lady Rebels Runner-up