Authorities in Bedford County are continuing to search for a man who was reported missing on Friday.
According to a report in the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, Matthew Tibbs was last seen at his home located just south of Shelbyville around 1:30 a.m.
Family members reported they discovered a backdoor open at Tibbs’ home around 5:30 a.m.
Authorities have since said they have not observed forced entry to the home and that they do not suspect foul play.
Tibbs’ vehicle, in addition to his cell phone, glasses and wallet were discovered at the home.
Tibbs was last seen wearing a red long sleeved shirt, blue undershirt and blue jeans.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the Bedford County Sheriff’s Department at 931-684-3232.

Two mid-state residents are charged with TennCare “doctor shopping,” in separate cases out of Rutherford County. The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with assistance from the Cannon County Sheriff’s Office and the Woodbury Police Department, announced the arrests of Kimberly Besner, 38, of Murfreesboro and William K. Bryant, 46, of Woodbury. Besner is charged with three counts of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain controlled substances by “doctor shopping” for controlled substances. Bryant is charged with two counts of “doctor shopping” for controlled substances. Both Besner and Bryant used TennCare to pay for the doctor’s visit or the drugs. TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge. District Attorney General William Whitesell, Jr. is prosecuting. 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.”

Doctors in Tennessee will soon have new tasks to complete before prescribing drugs like Oxycodone to patients in our state. The goal of the measure is to prevent doctors from prescribing medications to patients who are “doctor shopping.” The Tennessee Prescription Safety Act of 2012 represents a significant effort by state legislators to address the problem of prescription drug abuse. The act was passed unanimously April 27 and approved by Governor Bill Haslam May 9. It takes effect January 1. Starting in January, pharmacists will have to update the new prescription database website operated by the state every seven days. Currently, pharmacists are required to update the information on the database every 30-days.

Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development Karla Davis announced Tennessee’s unemployment rate for November decreased to 7.6 percent, down from the October revised rate of 8.2 percent. The national unemployment rate for November 2012 was 7.7 percent, 0.2 percentage point lower than the October rate.

Economic Summary:

• Tennessee’s November unemployment rate is the lowest rate since October 2008.
• Over the past year, Tennessee’s unemployment rate has declined from 8.7% to 7.6% (-1.1 percentage point) while the national rate declined from 8.7% to 7.7% (-1.0 percentage point).
• The number of unemployed persons is the lowest since October 2008.
• Total nonfarm employment increased 3,600 jobs from October to November, with increases in trade/transportation/utilities and manufacturing.
• Total nonfarm employment increased 25,800 jobs from November 2011 to November 2012, with increases in manufacturing and education/health services. Declines occurred in financial activities and wholesale trade.

Coffee County has been awarded federal funds through the Department of Homeland Security for the local Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP) under Phase 30 of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Coffee County has been awarded $ 23,011 to specifically supplement and expand emergency food and shelter programs. The award amount is based on our jurisdiction’s total number of unemployed as compared to the total number of unemployed in all qualifying jurisdictions. The local board will be made up of representatives from county and city municipalities, United Way, and helping agencies to determine how the funds will be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area.

After moving further in the process toward replacing Tullahoma City Schools Director Dr. Dan Lawson, the Board of Education is going to consider extending his contract. The board has set a special 6 p.m. meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, at the system’s administration building, to consider whether Lawson’s employment should extend beyond its June 30, 2013, deadline. Chairman Pat Welsh said board member Kim Uselton requested that the meeting be set to consider the contract extension.
The board did not vote on renewing Lawson’s contract in 2012, despite a strong movement from teachers and system employees to have him remain in his position