Thieves are stealing credit card numbers again from area residents. Several area residents have reported to police that their credit card and debit card numbers have been used to make unauthorized purchases and have those shipped to Maine, Michigan, Missouri and other states. In one incident a Manchester resident’s debit card number was used to purchase a computer and wanted the computer shipped to Maine. Police are urging residents to pay close attention to their credit/debit card statements.

Christine Perry

A Warren County woman is charged with TennCare fraud involving “doctor shopping,” or using the TennCare program to go to multiple doctors to obtain controlled substances. The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, today announced the arrest of Christine Perry, 66, of Spencer, Tennessee. Perry is charged with 11 counts of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain controlled substances by doctor shopping for the painkiller Hydrocodone, using TennCare to pay for the doctor visits. “Prescription drug abuse is a focus of communities, healthcare providers and law enforcement across Tennessee, working together to address the issue in multiple ways,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. “Our mission is to find those people abusing TennCare to get prescription drugs, and making it clear to everyone that there will be repercussions for this activity.” TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison. 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.”

Lawyers representing three Tennessee women filed a class-action lawsuit against Walmart Tuesday claiming the retail giant gives unequal treatment to female employees. Evidence in the case shows that women who hold salaried and hourly positions in Walmart stores in the region that includes Tennessee and parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and Mississippi, have been paid far less than men in comparable positions, although on average, the women have more seniority and higher performance ratings than men. The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, is the third regional discrimination case lodged against Walmart since the U.S. Supreme Court reversed a lower court ruling on a national class action against the retailer in June of 2011. According to WKRN-TV, in McMinnville, a female Walmart employee was told that the promotion she had been given had been rescinded and given to a male coworker because “a man can do a better job than a woman” and in Cookeville, a store manager informed a woman transferring to his store that she would have to take a pay cut because women do not make “that kind of money” at the store. The class includes women who worked at Walmart stores and were subject to pay and promotion discrimination at any time since December 26, 1998. In a letter to WKRN Walmart says, “The class the plaintiffs now allege is no more appropriate than the nationwide class the Supreme Court has already rejected. Walmart has strong policies against discrimination. As we have said all along, these claims are unsuitable for class treatment because the situations of each individual are so different, and because the claims of these three plaintiffs are not representative of the hundreds of thousands of women who work at Walmart.”

The Manchester Fire & Rescue would like to invite you to participate in its 3rd annual Chili Cook-Off scheduled from 12 to 4 p.m. October 13, 2012 on the downtown square in Manchester, Tennessee. The event is open to any and all individuals or teams that have a desire to make chili and have fun! It is also a good way to promote your cooking skills or business! Last year’s event was a great success as 29 teams competed for one of three trophies and $500 cash prizes awarded. The 2011 cook-off netted over $3,700 for Manchester Fire & Rescue’s Firefighter Association. This year’s proceeds will go to the Children’s Advocacy Center, a non-profit organization that provides a child-focused facility in a safe, neutral location. Since this is a charity event, a donation of $25 per team is required to enter the competition. The rest of the money raised comes from individuals purchasing a spoon for $5. With this spoon, they are allowed to sample all of the competitors’ chili and them vote for the “People’s Choice Award”, one of three awards that will be given out during the event. The other two awards are “Best Overall Chili” which will be judged by a panel of special guests; and the “Best Presentation”, which involves the theme surrounding the individuals’ or teams’ booth and chili presentation, also judged by the panel of judges. So, to win the “People’s Choice Award”, you will need to have a lot of supports willing to try a lot of chili. There will again be customized trophies, donated and designed by Logos, Awards and More, for the winners of each category. Marcrom’s Pharmacy, United Regional Medical Center, First Call of Nashville and a private donation in the memory of the late Assistant Chief Rod Ballard are helping sponsor chili cook-off this year. The event will once again consist of three (3) $500 cash awards, one for each category. So each team needs to have as many supporters come out and purchase a “spoon” so they can vote for the “People’s Choice Award”, and help the Children’s Advocacy Center all at one time!