TEPRO, Inc., a manufacturer of automotive parts, violated federal law by subjecting a class of 20 or more employees to age discrimination, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit filed last week. The EEOC’s suit alleges that TEPRO, operating a facility in Winchester, targeted and terminated employees on account of age, while retaining younger employees. TEPRO told older employees that they had to accept demotions or lose their jobs, and then eliminated those jobs anyway. TEPRO is a Tennessee corporation and subsidiary of the Kinugawa Rubber Industrial Co., a Japanese manufacturer of automotive parts with overseas facilities. TEPRO supplies automotive parts for various automobile manufacturers. The EEOC filed suit after first attempting to reach a voluntary settlement. The suit seeks monetary relief in the form of back pay and liquidated damages, reinstatement, and an injunction against future discrimination and retaliation. District of the EEOC’s Memphis District Office, which has jurisdiction over the area said that said systemic age discrimination is of great concern to the EEOC, and we will do our job to eradicate it. Employers cannot discharge older workers based on discriminatory stereotype.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation is halting all lane closures during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Officials say all construction-related lane closures will be stopped beginning at noon on Wednesday until 6 a.m. on Monday.
They say there will also be increased law enforcement on the roads.
TDOT Commissioner John Schroer says about a million Tennessee travelers are expected to drive to their destinations over the holiday.
According to AAA, about 44 million motorists nationwide will travel 50 miles or more during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Anyone who purchased a television or computer with an LCD screen before 2006 may be getting some money back.
Several manufacturers and their U.S. affiliates are accused of inflating the prices of those devices containing LCD screens, including TVs, computer monitors and laptops purchased between 1999 and 2006.
Those manufacturers have agreed to a proposed deal to refund customers in 24 states, including Tennessee. The settlement totals $692 million.
If you believe you are eligible to file a claim, register at: https://lcdclass.com/.

Tennessee State Parks is offering special winter rates for 360 villas and cabins.
The discount, which also includes six state park inns, began last Thursday and lasts through March 15, 2013.
The special rate allows park visitors to stay at 1 of Tennessee’s six state park inns for $54.95 a night, excluding tax.
The inn discount can be used seven days a week and applies to both individuals and groups. A 50% discount also is being offered for villas and cabins with a two-night minimum stay.
For more information about the special promotion, call the Tennessee State Parks information line at 615-532-0001 or toll free at 1-888-867-2757. To make online reservations, visit the Tennessee State Parks website at www.tnstateparks.com.

Manchester Fire & Rescue were Assistant Chief Mark Reed, Firefighter Chris Spencer and Fire Chief Charlie Taylor stand with Ball

Coffee County resident Christian Ball recently graduated from Basic Firefighting at the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy. Ball, a Volunteer Firefighter for the Manchester Fire & Rescue and the Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Department, paid his own tuition for the 10-week basic firefighting to become a state certified firefighter. On hand for the graduation ceremony from the Manchester Fire & Rescue were Assistant Chief Mark Reed, Firefighter Chris Spencer and Fire Chief Charlie Taylor.