In a new scam targeting seniors and the disabled, identity thieves are fraudulently rerouting Social Security benefits to their own bank accounts and prepaid debit cards. It’s pretty straightforward: Identity thieves get their hands on the personal information they need, like a full name and bank account number. Then they contact the Social Security Administration and request that payments be rerouted to their own accounts. Several social security recipients nationwide have reported be the victim of this scam. Don’t give out your social security or bank number over the phone.

Children born in some third-world countries have a better chance of reaching their first birthday than some children born in America. This disturbing fact is one reason health and medical professionals gathered in Nashville September 20, 2012 for “Tennesseans Teaming up for Change: Statewide Infant Mortality Summit.”
One initiative to protect a baby’s health after delivery is the TDH Safe Sleep campaign. It encourages parents to understand the “A-B-Cs of Safe Sleep” to prevent deaths while babies are sleeping. A is for Alone; always let the baby sleep alone, never in a bed with an adult or sibling where the baby could be smothered. B is for on the baby’s back; an infant should never be allowed to sleep on his or her side or stomach. C is for crib; always put your child in a crib that is empty, since blankets, toys and crib bumpers could smother a baby.
“In one Tennessee county alone, 36 babies died in 2009 from preventable sleep-related deaths. In 2009, 655 babies born in Tennessee died before their first birthdays
131 babies died in Tennessee in 2010 from sleep-related deaths.

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!

“Children’s Christmas Around the World” is the theme of the 56th Annual Tullahoma Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade, scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7. Grand Marshal for this year’s event will be Miss Tennessee, and Tullahoma native, Chandler Lawson. Chamber officials say that it was not a hard decision to make in choosing Lawson for the job. The announcement was made by chamber director Diane Bryant at Tuesday’s chamber coffee held at American City Bank. Entry forms for the float competition will be available at the Tullahoma Area Chamber of Commerce office, 135 West Lincoln St. Entry fees range from $30 to $50 prior to the Nov. 19 deadline.

Chloie Leverette

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has issued an Endangered Child Alert for the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office for 9-year-old Chloie Leverette and 7-year-old Gage Daniel. The children were last seen on Sunday, September 23, 2012, at approximately 6:30 p.m. by a neighbor. Chloie and Gage lived with their grandparents at 730 Kingdom Road,   Unionville, Tennessee. That home was destroyed by fire on Sunday night at approximately 9:30 p.m. According to State Bomb and Arson investigators, the children were not victims of the fire and their whereabouts are unknown at this time. If you have any information concerning the current whereabouts of Chloie and Gage, please contact the TBI at   1-800-TBI-FIND.

Gage Daniel