Category: News

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

A man who allegedly wrote threats to Bedford County students on a bathroom wall at a Lebanon truck stop was arrested Friday afternoon.
Ricky Glenn Petty, 46, of McBurg Road in the Frankewing area of Lincoln County has been charged with filing a false report, Detective Sgt. Brian Crews of the Shelbyville Police Department said.
“There was a threat directed toward schoolyard children in Shelbyville,” Crews said. Police are declining to release the exact wording of the messages.

The Governor’s Highway Safety Office has announced its final campaign against impaired driving for 2012. The Booze it and Lose It campaign runs now through January 2, 2013. The GHSO partners with local agencies to conduct campaigns throughout the year focusing on impaired driving, speeding, seat belt and child restraint compliance. This particular campaign will focus on impaired driving during the holiday season.

Once again this year, the employees of Coffee County Bank in Manchester are sharing their Christmas spirit and generosity with several local charitable organizations. The staff collects donations through the year by contributing to a fund on “Casual Fridays”. With a group of 38 people participating, the fund grows quickly. This year we are pleased to be able to donate $1,500 back into the community. The employees were asked for suggestions as to where they thought the biggest need was for holiday help in Coffee County. Several groups were suggested and voted upon with Good Samaritan Food Bank, All God’s Children, and Westside United Pentecostal Church of Tullahoma receiving money. The church helps with disadvantage youth.

Students at North Coffee Elementary took home the grand prize at the Fuel Up to Play 60 “Titans of Taste” Purity Milk Contest Celebration Luncheon at LP Field. A collaborative effort among the Tennessee Titans, Purity Dairies and the Southeast Dairy Association, the “Titans of Taste” milk contest rewarded schools for increased milk consumption during the month of October. Titans Fuel Up to Play 60 representative Marc Mariani, the Voice of the Titans Mike Keith, Purity Dairies President Mark Ezell, Purity Vice President Tim White and local dairy farmer Randy Davis were on hand for the event. As the contest’s grand prize winner, North Coffee Elementary took home a cash prize of $5,000. The school, which increased milk consumption by 41 percent in October, will also host a pep rally with a Titan’s player, T-Rac (the Titans mascot) and the Titans cheerleaders. A cash prize of $3,000 and Vitamix XL smoothie blenders were presented to the first place winners at Hillsboro Elementary.

A Manchester man was flown to Vanderbilt Medical Center Tuesday afternoon after being injured when a SUV pulled out in front of him. According to a report by Tullahoma Police officer Chris Coe, a 2000 Nissan operated by Macy Lea Blackburn, 16, of McKellar Drive, Tullahoma, pulled onto North Jackson Street from William Northern Boulevard into the path of a motorcycle operated by James Charles Cayo, 60, of Busy Corner Lane, Manchester. According to the latest information available, a spokesperson for Vanderbilt said Cayo was listed in stable condition.