United Regional Medical Center (“URMC”) and Medical Center of Manchester (“MCM”) are taking the first steps towards a potential combination of the two hospitals. URMC plans to file an application for a Certificate of Need (“CON”) with the Tennessee Health Services Development Agency next month. The application sets forth a plan for the two hospitals to combine and operate a single hospital on Interstate Drive. Most medical operations at URMC’s existing McArthur Drive location would be discontinued.
In its application, URMC seeks regulatory approval to relocate to MCM’s campus on Interstate Drive and to close one of the two emergency rooms. Under Tennessee law, a hospital cannot move or shut down an emergency room without state approval. URMC’s filing cites the need for the two hospitals located only two miles apart to combine operations to create a stronger health care facility that can afford to invest in state-of-the-art equipment and recruit more primary care physicians to the area. The application also provides details of a financial transaction in which the ownership groups of the two hospitals would be combined.
An investor group led by Dr. Wendell McAbee and Ashoke “Bappa” Mukherji purchased Coffee Medical Center from Coffee County twelve years ago and renamed it to United Regional Medical Center. “When we bought the hospital, it was always our plan to expand services and modernize the facility,” explained Dr. McAbee. He continued, “We were able to dramatically increase the services offered, but have been unable to do much with the physical plant itself. The planned combination is the best way to develop a first class healthcare facility for the citizens of Manchester.” J. Stanley Rogers, President of MCM, commented: “Putting these two hospitals together is long overdue. This is a wonderful way to unite our medical community and bring additional services to Manchester.” Rogers and his partners built MCM thirty years ago.
Mr. Mukherji, who would oversee the integration of the two facilities, stated: “The application is an exciting and important first step, but nothing is finalized yet. The management teams of both hospitals have worked together to develop a strong operating plan and we hope to get a quick approval and move forward.” Martha McCormick, Chief Executive Officer of URMC, added: “We view a consolidation as the best way to improve the quality of health care in Manchester. We hope that the community gets as excited as we are about what we are trying to do.” Bobby Couch, Chief Executive Officer of MCM, stated: “We want to bring everyone together to get behind this project, not just the medical community. As Manchester continues to grow, we want to make sure that we have a medical center that can grow along with it.”
After URMC files the application for the CON, the HSDA will schedule a public hearing to hear debate from interested parties and the public. At previous meetings, members of the HSDA have expressed a desire to see the two facilities combine, if possible. URMC has requested an expedited hearing, but in any event the hearing should be scheduled within sixty to ninety days. If the CON is approved, the companies would then have to file additional notices with various other governmental agencies including Medicare.

A Freeman Street Tullahoma woman reported to police on July 11 that her boyfriend went to Wal-Mart and cashed his check. He then gave Tabitha Harris the money. She stated that she went the next day to buy gas and was told that the $100 was counterfeit. She then took the bill back to the store. She was to meet with loss prevention of the store. She says that she wants the store to make the bill good, but so far she has not heard from the store.
A police report by Officer Bob Looney says that Wal-Mart asked for a police report, Harris says that she asked for a police report be made.
Other police departments in the area are also reporting counterfeit bills are showing up at various businesses.

An allegedly-intoxicated driver clocked at 101 mph early Thursday told police he was speeding because his wife wanted him home soon.
Tony Leneal Brown, 40, of West Lane Street was stopped on North Main Street at the bypass at 3:49 a.m. Thursday, Officer David Dye’s report said. The speed limit in the area is 50 mph.
Brown allegedly told Dye his wife expected him home before 4 a.m. He said he had consumed one beer before 7 p.m. Wednesday, police said.
After failing field intoxication tests, Brown was charged with DUI, speeding and second offense driving on a suspended license.
(Thanks Shelbyville Times Gazette)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer have announced nearly $820,000 in two transportation alternative grants for Monteagle and Tracy City to connect downtown districts to trails and make other enhancements.
The town of Monteagle was awarded a $216,320 grant for the Pedestrian Corridor Extension Project. The project will install approximately 2,000 feet of 5-foot sidewalks on the east side of Highway 64 beginning at Dubose Street heading south to Elgin Drive. The sidewalk will extend access to the multiuse trail and park in downtown Monteagle. A new pedestrian crosswalk will also be created across Highway 64 at the Monteagle City Ball Park.
Tracy City received a $603,569 grant to fund the Downtown Sidewalk and Mountain Goat Trail Connector Project. The project will provide pedestrian and bicyclist enhancements to the historic downtown business district, including a path and trailhead parking. The grant will also fund a key section of the Mountain Goat Trail, a projected 35-plus mile trail linking Franklin and Grundy counties.
“Enhancing transportation options and connections between areas in Grundy County will increase pedestrian and visitor traffic to businesses and recreation areas,” Haslam said. “Tennessee’s downtowns are the heart of our communities, and projects like these improve our cities’ and towns’ livability and the quality of life for residents.”
The transportation alternative grant is made possible through a federally funded program formerly known as transportation enhancement, and is administered by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).
“Through these grants, TDOT has funded more than $306 million in non-traditional transportation projects,” Schroer said. “This program has assisted communities all over the state in their efforts to revitalize downtowns, highlight historic areas, provide alternative means of transportation, and increase opportunities for economic development.”
A variety of activities, such as the restoration of historic facilities, bike and pedestrian trails, landscaping and other non-traditional transportation projects, are eligible for grant funds under the federal program.
State Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma) and state Rep. Paul Bailey (R-Sparta) represent Grundy County in the Tennessee General Assembly.