Coffee County Sheriff Steve Graves has issued a warning about an old scam making the rounds in Coffee County again. “It has been here in the past but it seems to have started again,” the sheriff said Tuesday. The scammers call an individual poising as a deputy from the sheriff’s department. “They say that they are a deputy and that the person they are calling has failed to show up for jury duty.” The fake deputy then tells their intended victim that there is a warrant for their arrest, but to keep from being arrested they can pay a fine and the warrant will go away. Graves said, “They tell their victim to get Green Dot card and call them and give them the number off of it.” “They use the Green Dot numbers like a credit card taking money off the cards.” The sheriff stated that his department does not call people and ask for money. Several people have fallen for this scam in the past and have paid the scammers. The sheriff says his department has received calls concerning the scam.

One of the biggest risks to Tennessee seniors can be tripping hazards found in their own homes. An estimated one in three people age 65 or older takes a major, unexpected tumble at least once a year. September is Falls Prevention Awareness Month, and while clearing a home of unnecessary clutter is one method of protection, a fall-risk evaluation includes a person’s gait and balance, his or her health conditions, medications and home environment. Getting an older relative or friend to agree to this checkup can be a challenge, said Dr. Sascha Dublin, an internal-medicine physician and investigator at Group Health Research Institute. She added, however, that it’s important to try. “One of the things I find my patients are particularly responsive to is, there may be things they really don’t want to work on,” she said, “but when I talk about how important is it to you to stay in your own home and stay independent, they’re often really highly motivated to do things that will let them stay independent as long as possible.” Dublin said people who use balancing aids such as canes or walkers often need a little training to use them correctly, and may be using a hand-me-down piece of equipment that isn’t the right size or height and can put them at greater risk of a fall. Among seniors who take a major fall, Dublin said, two-thirds will fall again within six months. Group Health recommends preventive steps including exercise as people age – not just any exercise, but those that can improve strength, balance and coordination. Tai Chi is at the top of Dublin’s list, but there are others. “Many people don’t realize how much improvement they may be able to get with becoming more physically active,” she said. “So, for instance, there have been randomized trials that took 90-year-olds to do very gentle weightlifting in the gym, and found substantial benefits from just small amounts of gentle weightlifting to strengthen leg muscles.” Dublin said it’s important to tell a doctor or physical therapist about a person’s over-the-counter medication use, not only prescriptions. She said cold medications and sleep aids often contain antihistamines, which can make the user drowsy or dizzy.

On August 29, 2015 Horizon Health and Rehab in Manchester held a back to school bash with all proceeds going to the Coffee County school system. Horizon raised $ 2,117.40, which they have decided to put towards the arts department.
Suzie Hawkersmith with Horizon said that they estimated the event had approximately 2,000 people throughout the day.
Vendors were very excited and pleased and children played games all day long. The dunking tank was a huge success as the students were very excited about dunking staff members from the schools.
The community has responded with a lot of support so Horizon is planning on doing the event again next year.
The back to school bash was part of the Horizon cares events. The next fundraiser will be October 30, 2015 @ Willowbrook for the Horizon cares for Alzheimer’s association golf tournament.