Robertson Co. News

Tom Austin Highway was closed for a while last night due to a head-on crash involving two SUVs.  One person was killed in the collision and another taken to Vanderbilt with non-life-threatening injuries. Reports ay two juveniles were taken Vanderbilt Children’s hospital, one serious condition, the other noncritical.

Hospitals across the state are asking Tennesseans to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.  The Tennessee Hospital Association issued an open letter yesterday asking Tennesseans to celebrate the holidays safely.  The letter said only people living in the same home or people who are already in close contact should celebrate together.  The letter said taking precautions during the Thanksgiving holiday is important as the state has a declining number of available hospital beds.

State health officials say they expect to get doses of a COVID-19 vaccine soon.  Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey says the first doses are expected to be delivered to the state in the middle of next month.  During Governor Bill Lee’s press conference yesterday, Dr. Piercey said the Pfizer vaccine is expected to be delivered first followed by the Moderna vaccine a week later.  She said the first people to get the vaccine will include front line healthcare workers and first responders.

Governor Bill Lee is announcing new legislation to support the Tennessee National Guard.  The Reemployment Act announced by Governor Lee’s office yesterday is part of his administration’s package for the 2021 General Assembly.  The bill will provide reemployment protections to state National Guard service members who are called to state active duty.  Lee says members of the guard have been an important part of the state’s COVID response and the bill will support them and ensure the best continue to serve in the Tennessee National Guard.