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Two People, In Separate Cases Charged With TennCare Fraud
Brian Keith Tucker
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) with assistance from the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of 39-year old Brian K. Tucker. A Coffee County Grand Jury indicted Tucker with three counts of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain a controlled substance by doctor shopping for drugs, using TennCare as payment.
Tucker was first arrested in August of this year when he was charged with doctor shopping in Bedford County. Those charges are still pending in court.
TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge. District Attorney General Craig Northcott is prosecuting.
Jacqueline Rose Yates
The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jacqueline Rose Yates, 30, of McMinnville. She is charged with TennCare fraud and two counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. Charges accuse her of presenting fraudulent prescriptions for the painkiller Oxycodone and Adderall, a stimulant, using TennCare benefits to pay for the forgeries.
TennCare fraud is a Class E felony, carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison.
The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $5 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $176 million for TennCare, according to latest figures. To date, 2,238 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.
Through the OIG Cash for Tips Program established by the Legislature, Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions. Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to www.tn.gov/tnoig/ and follow the prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”
Law Enforcement Looking For Wanted Man
Joshua Jackson Dyer… Photo from the Bedford County Sheriff’s Department.
On December 3, 2014, Mr. Dyer removed two pieces of outgoing mail that included checks intended to pay bills, from a victim’s address on Highway 41-A North in Shelbyville. Dyer altered the check and changed the payee name to his name. The checks were then passed at a Bedford County bank for a large sum of money.
Dyer is described as 5’9” with Brown hair and Green eyes and was last seen in a Silver Pontiac SUV with an unknown tag. If you see Dyer, please call the Sheriff’s Office immediately at 931-684-3411.
Higher Education Officials Want More Money For Schools
Gov. Bill Haslam
Tennessee higher education officials say they’ll be forced to continue raising tuition if the state doesn’t provide adequate funding to help with costs at their institutions.
Officials met with Gov. Haslam at a higher education budget hearing on Friday.
Officials said there hasn’t been a basic increase in state funding in about 30 years. They’ve formed review committees to examine the financial picture of their systems going forward.
The heads of the Board of Regents and the University of Tennessee Board say something needs to be done because it’s unfair to keep putting the cost burden on students and their families.
Haslam said the systems have a valid argument and that he and the Legislature will examine reports from their reviews.
Christmas Parade Winners
Boy and Cub Scout float. Tullahoma 1st place in civic/nonprofit.. All photos by Barry West
The annual Christmas parades were held over the weekend in Tullahoma and Manchester. The Tullahoma parade took place on Friday night and the Manchester parade on Saturday night. In Tullahoma, Cub Scout Pack 365 and Boy Scout Troop 47, led by Scout Master Luke Ferrell, took home first place in the civic/nonprofit category. The group chose “A Charlie Brown Christmas” as its float theme.
Mark Lemons Construction. 1st place in Manchester.
In Manchester, 1st place winner of $300 and a trophy was Mark Lemons Construction, 2nd place winner of $200 and a trophy was the Coffee County Sheriff Department and the 3rd place winner of $100 and a trophy was the Summitville United Methodist Church. (More pictures below)
Coffee County Sheriff’s Department. 2nd place.
Summitville United Methodist Church. 3rd place.
Christmas Light Shows
Delaney home in Hillsboro.
Husband and wife, Kenny and Jeannette Delaney put on the show every year at their home located at 1361 Old Airport Road in Hillsboro.
They showcase 60,000 lights which are all synchronized to Christmas music.
The Delaney’s accept donations and 100% of the proceeds go to two Coffee County charities.
It’s hard work and their electric bill during December is a little more expensive than during the other months of the year, but the Delaney’s say it’s worth it.
The light show plays Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Another show you may want to check out is the Winton Family show located on 55 Haskell Winton Rd. The times for their show are 5 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Middle School Basketball Update
In middle school basketball action on Thursday, Westwood welcomed Fayetteville to the Joel Vinson Gym. Both teams played well before a good home crowd as the Rockets and Lady Rockets got 2 nice conference wins.
The Lady Rockets held the Lady Tigers scoreless in the 1st period as they raced out to a 17 to 6 halftime lead. Coach Angela Houck sat most of her starters in the 4th quarter as Fayetteville’s starters outscored the Lady Rockets 14 to 4 in the 4th quarter making the Westwood win of 33 to 22 look a little more respectable. Westwood was led in scoring by Megan Jones who had 11 points while Haley Miller added 10 points.
The Rockets used a big 4th quarter to break open a tight game and drop Fayetteville 37 to 30. Westwood post player Chase Simpkins got 8 of his team high 16 points in the final quarter to seal the win. Jake Hollandsworth got 2 clutch free throws in the 4th quarter to go with 2 first half 3 pointers as he totaled 10 points in the contest.
The Raiders and Lady Raiders of Coffee County Middle traveled to Shelbyville to take on Harris on Thursday night in CTC basketball action. The Lady Raiders jumped on the Harris from the opening tip as they raced out to a 12 point halftime lead on the way to a 44 to 33 win. The Lady Raiders went to the foul line 20 times in the second half as Abby Morgan hit eight 2nd half free throws to lead Coffee County with 13 points. Jacey Vaughn added 10 points as the Lady Raiders improved to 10-0 on the season.
The Raiders and Harris were tied at the half, but several missed scoring opportunities in the 3rd quarter allowed Harris to grind out a 34 to 22 win.
Weston Hargrove led the Raiders in scoring with 7 points and Andrew Mahaffey finished with 5 points.
12/13/14 —— Celina Dees Stidham
Celina Dees Stidham, age 52 of Mayflower, Arkansas passed away, Tuesday, November 25, 2014.
A Celebration of Life Gathering will be Saturday, December 13, from 4 PM – 6 PM at Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home.
A native of Tullahoma, she is survived by one daughter, Brandi King and her husband, Robert of Manchester; mother, Shirley Floyd of Manchester; three sisters, Connye Holliday and her husband, Terry of Manchester, Sheila Sweeton and Tabatha Floyd, both of Tullahoma; grandson, Anthony King of Manchester and many nieces and nephews.
She preceded in death by one brother, Brian Floyd.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations be made to Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
12/11/14 ——- Forest E. “Ed” Haley
Funeral services for Mr. Forest E. “Ed” Haley, age 81, of Elkhart, IN, formerly of Manchester, will be conducted at 3:00 PM on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at Manchester Funeral Home Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Shady Grove Cemetery.
Visitation with the family will be from 1:00 PM until time of service on Thursday at the funeral home.
Mr. Haley passed away Sunday afternoon at Elkhart General Hospital in Elkhart, IN.
Ed was born May 18, 1933 in Manchester, TN to Benjamin F. and Lula Jane (Jarrell) Haley.
He married Marilyn Slough on June 27, 1952 in Elkhart. She died February 20, 2005.
Surviving are son, William (Marsha) Haley of Elkhart; daughter, Jane Harrington of Polk City, FL; 9 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one grandson.
Ed retired from sales at Shaum Electric. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He enjoyed spending time with his family, photography, and pictures.
Manchester Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
12/11/14 —— James Edward Cardwell
Funeral services for Mr. James Edward Cardwell, age 79, of Tullahoma, TN, will be conducted at 1:00 PM on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at Manchester Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Mike Owen officiating.
Burial will follow at 3:00 PM at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Murfreesboro, TN.
Visitation with the family will be from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM on Wednesday, December 10, at the funeral home.
Mr. Cardwell passed away at his residence on Sunday, December 7, 2014.
James was born in Lick Skillet, AL, the son of the late John C. and Nancy Ellen Bowen Cardwell.
He served his country in the United States Air Force and before retirement, was employed by Batesville Casket Company in the rubber plant. He was an ordained minister and a chaplain for Transport for Christ.
In addition to his parents, James was also preceded in death by his first wife, Mary L. Brawley Cardwell, who passed in 1958, and his second wife, Kathy Cardwell, who passed away in 1997; one daughter, Sherry Cardwell; two sisters, Ethel Woods Lowe and Sue Dudley; and one son-in-law, Ronald Vance. He is survived by five children, Susan Vance of Tullahoma, Jimmy (Jane) Cardwell of Manchester, Kimmy (Tony) Terry of Lebanon, Johnny (Jeannie) Cardwell of Tullahoma, and Connie (Kenneth) Hardaway of Cottontown; ten grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren.
Manchester Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Two Raiders Named All-District
Alontae Taylor turns the corner… Photos by Barry West
Taylor was the nation’s leading rusher for freshmen during the regular season with 1,676 yards according to MaxPreps.com. The first year player was recently named to the Adidas Freshman All-American team. Taylor will not be allowed to play in the freshman all-star game because of a TSSAA rule that prohibits players in such games until they have completed playing eligibility on the high school level.
Howes had 725 yards rushing and 219 yards receiving and scored 12 touchdowns.
Cody Howes took a kickoff 93 yards for a TD during the 2014 season.