Category: News

Tennessee’s new dementia advisory council seeks public input

By Nadia Ramlagan, Tennessee Public News Service

Earlier this year, the Tennessee General Assembly unanimously passed legislation creating the first Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Advisory Council, and the council now wants input from residents to help identify what resources are needed most. 

Rachel Blackhurst, director of public policy and advocacy for the Tennessee chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, says around a half-million people in the state are either living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease.

“Do they need more help with direct care services, do they see an issue with long-term care or doctors needing more trainings on how to deal with an Alzheimer’s patient?” she raises. “We want to make sure we’re getting the input of the people who are dealing with it in the state.”

The Alzheimer’s Advisory Council was formed as a response to the state’s high rates of Alzheimer’s and dementia. 

Tennessee has the fourth highest death rate from Alzheimer’s disease in the nation.

There is currently no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and Blackhurst points outs the burden is falling heaviest on caregivers.

“There’s a lot of data out there that Alzheimer’s is one of the most feared diseases, so if you’ve yet to experience Alzheimer’s in a personal way, you know, caring for a family member, what are you worried about when you think about the future?” she states.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projects that the number of people living with Alzheimer’s in the U.S. will triple to nearly 14 million by 2060. 

Blackhurst says more states are viewing dementia as a public health issue.

“On a national level, I would say the major trend would be toward working with public health,” she states.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there’s been a more than 200% increase in Alzheimer’s-related deaths in Tennessee since 2000. 

The state’s Medicaid program, TennCare, estimates that this year the cost of taking care of people with Alzheimer’s was more than $1 billion.

Manchester Rotary Christmas Concert is set for Dec. 6, 7

Manchester Rotary Club, in partnership with Trinity Baptist Church, invite you and your family to hear a talented performance at its annual Community Christmas Concert Directed by Reverend Dana Brooks. 

“We are pleased to continue a strong tradition during the holiday season and hope your hearts will be filled with the true meaning of Christmas from our talented community choir,” said Taylor Rayfield, President of Manchester Rotary Club. 

This year’s Community Christmas Concert will be held on Friday, December 6th and Saturday, December 7th, 7 PM, at Trinity Baptist Church in Manchester. Guests are encouraged to bring canned food items that will be donated to The StoreHouse Food Pantry for those in need during this holiday season. 

“On behalf of Manchester Rotary Club, we wish to extend our sincerest gratitude to Revered Dana Brooks for directing a talented group; Dr. Ken Kimble, Rotarian, who leads the charge as Program Chair to ensure the Christmas Concert is successful; Trinity Baptist Church for being a gracious host; Sherrill Pest Control for being a presenting sponsor; and the many volunteers who stand ready to sing the hymns of Christmas,” Rayfield added.  

Manchester Rotary Club, established in 1935, has been a pillar of the Manchester community through various philanthropic efforts. 

Annual Trees of Christmas is underway

A picture of a prior year’s display at Trees of Christmas.

The 44th annual Manchester Trees of Christmas display began Monday and will continue through Sunday, Dec. 8. 

The display, which is presented by the Dig N Dream Garden Club, is free to the public and is held at the Ada Wright Center at Fred Deadman Park. 

Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3 through Saturday Dec. 7 and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. If you would like to schedule a large group or a school tour, contact Judy Skelton at 931-728-4127. 

Mon, Dec. 2: Noon – 6 p.m.

Tue, Dec. 3: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Wed, Dec. 4: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Thu: Dec. 5: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Fri: Dec. 6: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sat: Dec. 7: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sun, Dec. 8: Noon-5 p.m.

Exit 111 Fest will not return next year

After hosting the inaugural Exit 111 Festival in Manchester in October of 2019, organizers have announced that the festival will not return in 2020. 

In a post on Facebook, the festival thanked the “incredible fans and road warriors who rocked and camped with us this year.”

Thunder Radio News reached out to festival organizers for further statement but has yet to receive one. 

While official ticket numbers were never released by the festival, estimated paid attendance was close to 20,000 for this year’s event, which was held in October 

The Exit 111 was the first major music event held at Great Stage Park other than the annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival held every June.

TDH Joins ‘U=U’ in Effort to End the HIV Epidemic in Tennessee

In Tennessee, approximately 18,000 people are living with HIV, and 760 of them were newly diagnosed in 2018. The Tennessee Department of Health is working to increase access to preventive medication and empower HIV-positive Tennesseans to seek and stay engaged in HIV care. As part of this effort to end the HIV epidemic in Tennessee, TDH is joining the “Undetectable Equals Untransmittable” or “U=U” campaign.

“While Tennessee’s rate of new HIV diagnoses is similar to the national rate, some areas of our state still see rates far beyond the national average,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “We continue to employ new tools and proven strategies to address this health challenge, and with focused efforts and commitment from Tennesseans, we can end this epidemic.” 

According to CDC numbers in 2017, the southern region of the United States, which includes Tennessee, accounted for 52 percent of new HIV diagnoses in the country, followed by the West at 19 percent and the Northeast at 16 percent.

Undetectable Equals Untransmittable

The “Undetectable Equals Untransmittable” or “U=U” campaign promotes the message that individuals with HIV who get medication and achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus. This message is vital to combatting HIV-related stigma and empowering people to enter and remain engaged in HIV care. TDH is leading the way by becoming one of the first state health departments in the South to become a U=U community partner. Learn more about U=U at www.preventionaccess.org/.

“The most important thing someone living with HIV can do to stay healthy and prevent transmission of HIV is to be treated with medications on an ongoing basis,” said Pamela Talley, MD, MPH, medical director of the TDH HIV/STD/Viral Hepatitis section. “The science is clear. Numerous studies have shown that people living with HIV who take their medications as prescribed and get and keep an undetectable viral load have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV.”

Nearly half of all people living with HIV in the United States live in the South. While other regions of the U.S. have seen a decline in the rate of new HIV diagnoses over the last several years, rates among Southern states have remained stable. 

Treatment Reduces Transmission Risk

Those who test negative for HIV and are sexually active can stay negative through proven prevention methods. Daily medication known as “PrEP” can reduce transmission of the virus to HIV-negative people by up to 99 percent. TDH continues to expand PrEP availability and use across the state. Learn more and find a prescriber by visiting getpreptn.com. 

Know Your Status

Everyone living in Tennessee can play an important role in ending the HIV epidemic by knowing their HIV status. Almost half of all new HIV transmission occurs among people who are unaware they have the virus. Testing is the first step to maintaining a healthy life and reducing the spread of HIV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends every person over the age of 13 should be tested for HIV at least once. Tennesseans can find free and confidential HIV testing at their local health department or by visiting gettested.cdc.gov.

The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. Learn more about TDH services and programs at www.tn.gov/health.

Tennessee first state to submit Medicaid Block Grant Proposal

By Tennessee Public News Service

Tennessee has become the first state to submit a Medicaid block grant proposal to federal officials. 

If approved, the proposal would allow the state to make changes to its Medicaid program, known as TennCare. 

Michele Johnson, executive director of the Tennessee Justice Center, says a block grant would allow Gov. Bill Lee to take federal money, without the accountability.

“The fact is, he’s talking about taking a billion dollars out of a program that serves our most vulnerable Tennesseans, and that math doesn’t add up,” she states.

Proponents of block grants say they would shrink the federal price tag for paying for health care. 

Johnson says the federal government will decide on whether or not to approve the state’s request for a Medicaid block grant early next year. She also notes the proposal is open for public comment until Dec. 27.

“There will be a 30-day comment period, and every person in the state can comment and should comment,” Johnson points out.

Johnson says in recent years, block grants have become a bumper sticker political talking point.

“President Trump has said he tried to pass a block grant bill in Congress to block grant the entire Medicaid program,” she points out. “And that was defeated in Congress. It was defeated because it would have jeopardized babies and it would have jeopardized pregnant women and it would have jeopardized seniors.”

Johnson adds that if approved, Tennessee’s block grant proposal would eliminate federal Medicaid rules banning discrimination on the basis of a patient’s pre-existing medical conditions, and would also cut prescription drug coverage.

Winter Weather Advisory in effect Sunday night

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for areas in Middle Tennessee for Sunday night through noon Monday – an area that includes Coffee County.

A strong upper-level low pressure system will bring the chance of snowfall to the mid-state with accumulating snowfall amounts between one to two inches possible across the Cumberland Plateau Regions, according to NWS.

The advisory includes Putnam, Overton, Cannon, DeKalb and Coffee counties.

“Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute,” NWS says in its advisory.

As always, you should plan for your local school systems’ to be running on schedule unless you hear otherwise. To sign up for school-closing text alerts, click here.

ATTENTION: Christmas parade rescheduled for Sunday

The annual Manchester Christmas Parade that was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, has been rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1 due to possible inclement weather.

Lineup begins at 5 p.m., pre-parade entertainment on the square at 5 p.m., parade at 6:30 p.m. and tree lighting on the square to follow at approx. 7:30 p.m.

Exit 111 Festival will not return after first year

After hosting the inaugural Exit 111 Festival in Manchester in October of 2019, organizers have announced that the festival will not return in 2020.

In a post on Facebook, the festival thanked the “incredible fans and road warriors who rocked and camped with us this year.”

Thunder Radio News has reached out for further statement but has yet to receive one.

While official ticket numbers were not released, estimated paid attendance was between 20,000-25,000 for this year’s event, which was held in October.

The Exit 111 was the first major music event held at Great Stage Park other than the annual Bonnaroo festival held every June.

Man transported to Unity after being struck by train

A man was transported to Unity Medical Center in Manchester Tuesday evening at approximately 6:50 p.m.. after he was struck by a train near Rose St. in Manchester. 

According to preliminary information from Manchester Police Department Assistant Chief Adam Floied, the victim, Jerry Messick, 38, appeared to be standing near the tracks where they intersect with Rose St. The conductor said that he spotted the victim and hit the train’s emergency brakes but could not stop in time.

“It looks like he was standing next to the tracks and it didn’t run him over, but it did hit him,” explained Floied. “We did get a good statement from the conductor and there was [a railroad worker flagging at another intersection] that was close by.”

Floied said officials expect Messick to survive. Floied added that the man appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, however, this information is preliminary and a complete report was not yet available at the time of this story.