Tracie McCormick, Inc., d/b/a McCormick Trucking (“McCormick”), based in Murfreesboro, Tenn., has agreed to pay $750,000 to settle contract and common law allegations of double billing the United States Postal Service (“USPS”) under its contracts for hauling mail, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee.
The settlement agreement addresses conduct that occurred from approximately January 2011 through November 2013. During that time, the United States alleged that McCormick used credit cards issued by the USPS on certain fuel index routes, the governing contracts of which already provided itemized payment to McCormick for fuel purchased for use on those routes. This double billing resulted in USPS paying twice for fuel used on the specified routes.
“We are gratified to have contributed to this investigation and applaud the exceptional work by the investigative team and the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Scott Pierce, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. “Along with our law enforcement partners, the USPS OIG will continue to aggressively investigate issues that have a detrimental financial impact on the Postal Service.”
This matter was investigated by the USPS Office of Inspector General and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Category: News
Mid-State Trucking Company Agrees to Settle Contract and Common Law Allegations
Tennessee Attorney General Suing Purdue Pharmaceuticals
Herbert H. Slatery III
Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slattery III and a bipartisan group of attorneys general have filed a lawsuit against Purdue Pharmaceuticals for their alleged unlawful marketing of OxyContin and other drugs that have caused and prolonged the opioid epidemic in the state.
The 270-page complaint outlines the state’s argument, which accuses the company of causing the “most devastating public health crisis in Tennessee history” by making unlawful and misleading claims about the safety and benefits of drugs like OxyContin.
The complaint also claims Purdue continued to market their drugs in this manner despite knowing the pills were causing deadly overdoses and increasing illegal drug trades.
The Tennessee Attorney General’s office is leading a bipartisan, multi-state group in this lawsuit against various opioid manufacturers and distributors as well as participating as a non-party in settlement discussions of another lawsuit pending in Cleveland, Ohio.
Questions arise because of Downtown Manchester Mural
Photo by Rob Clutter
Something new is going up in Downtown Manchester, but it is being met by some controversy.
A new mural is being painted on the side of Wheeler’s Construction and Restoration, Inc. The mural, painted by a Murfreesboro artist, is an American flag in the shape of a magnolia with the word “Manchester” on it.
The Historic Commission found it to be disrespectful and wants it covered up, while Scott van Velsor believes he is in his right to have it completed.
The artist was commissioned to do the work by van Velsor and his wife.
He, representing building owner John Wheeler, went to the Historic Zoning Commission to seek approval for the mural at 121 S. Spring St. and adding a new awning during their Thursday, May 3 meeting. The commission approved the exterior paint and awning, but asked van Velsor to wait on the mural until they could create guidelines for mural projects.
Van Velsor moved forward with the project. Zoning commission acting secretary Pat Berges told the Manchester Times, “It doesn’t represent anything.” “It has nothing to do with Manchester history.”
Berges said the commission called the police to stop the artist on Sunday, but law enforcement is not in charge of zoning codes and couldn’t do anything as the painting is not criminal.
Van Velsor claims the art is within code – his color choices matched those set by the commission and he did get their approval to paint the building. The meeting’s minutes also show an approved motion.
Van Velsor was able to hire the artist after a donation from First National Bank of Manchester. It was done at no cost to the city.
The Wheeler building formerly had an American flag painted in the exact spot as the new mural. The flag was grandfathered in to the exterior building guidelines set by the zoning commission. The flag had the words “Welcome to Historic Downtown Manchester, Tennessee” written below it. (Read more information in this week’s Manchester Times)
Tullahoma Police Investigating Fraud Case
The Tullahoma Police Department is asking for your help identifying a female that might have been involved in a fraud case. Anyone with information regarding the woman’s identity is asked to contact Tullahoma Police Investigator Tyler Hatfield by calling 931-455-0530 or email the investigator, thatfield@tullahomatn.gov.
The Tullahoma Police Department thanks the public for any assistance in this case.
647 Allegations of Child Abuse or Neglect Involving Students in 20 Months
An analysis has found Tennessee’s Department of Children’s Services investigated 647 allegations of child abuse or neglect involving students at more than 460 schools during a recent 20-month period.
Data obtained by USA Today’s Tennessee Network showed DCS investigated claims at both public and private schools serving 74 of 95 Tennessee counties between January 2016 and August 2017. The agency did not provide investigations’ outcomes.
The data indicates DCS investigated 373 allegations of physical abuse, 130 allegations of sexual abuse or exploitation, 97 allegations of children lacking supervision and 33 allegations of psychological abuse.
State education officials said they didn’t know how frequently child welfare workers were called. Spokeswoman Sara Gast’s response to the shared data noted that “school officials generally err on the side of caution” when making reports.
Gas Prices Jump Up Again
Gas prices rocketed higher last week in most markets, due to reductions in domestic supply and the oil market’s response to the President’s decision to leave the Iran Nuclear Deal.
Sunday’s national average of $2.87 is 53 cents more than this time last year. Prices at the pump jumped 6 cents nationwide last week. Gas prices have not been this expensive since November 2014.
Tennessee gas prices rose 3 cents during the past week. The average price in Tennessee now sits at $2.62 per gallon-the highest daily price in four years.
AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said gas prices are their highest in years, yet that doesn’t seem to be slowing motorists down. The latest round of figures shows that gasoline demand is significantly higher than this time last year.
The low price in Manchester as of Tuesday afternoon was $2.49, even though some stations had risen from $2.45 to $2.69 during the day. Tullahoma’s low pump price was $2.57.
TNReady Test Scores Can’t Lower Student Grades
Tennessee Education Commissioner Candice McQueen says school districts can decide whether student assessment scores will be included in student grades as long as the scores don’t lower final grades.
More than 2.5 million TNReady tests were administered this spring, with about 300,000 online. But there were several flaws.
The state also won’t give districts or schools A-F grades for TNReady data, and the data can’t be used to designate a school in the bottom 5 percent academically.
Lawmakers passed legislation barring adverse action being taken against any student, teacher, school or district based on 2017-18 online TNReady results.
Among the problems were an apparent cyberattack, connectivity issues and a fiber optics line severed by a dump truck.
Coffee County Softball Stuns Smyrna in Region Tournament Victory
Sarah West of Coffee County softball[File Photo]
After scoring 2 runs in the 1st inning, Coffee County led 2 to 0 entering the 3rd inning. Smyrna rallied to score 6 runs in the 3rd inning and stun the partisan crowd at Terry Floyd Field. But Coffee County loaded the bases ahead of a 3 RBI double from Sarah West. Here is Lucky Knott with the call…..
Keri Munn drove home West to tie the game with a double 3 pitches later to make the game 6 to 6…….
Coffee County added 2 more runs in the frame to take an 8 to 6 lead and never trailed again. The Lady Raiders added single runs in the 4th and 5th and 2 more in the 6th, including a leadoff home run from Gracie Pippenger. Pippenger laced a 2 strike pitch to centerfield that hit the top of the fence and was grabbed on the rebound by the Smyrna center fielder making it a live ball. As the Smyrna defense tried to protest a legal catch, Pippenger rounded the bases for an inside the park home run.
Keri Munn of CHS softball
West finished the game with 2 doubles, a single, 3 runs scored and 4 RBI. Munn was 4 for 4 on the game with a double and 3 RBI. Haley Richardson had a single and a double while Katie Rutledge added 2 singles. For their outstanding performances, West and Munn were named the Crazy Daisies co-players of the game.
The win gives the Lady Raiders their 7th win in their last 8 games and improves their record to 20 and 19 on the season. The Lady Raiders have also secured 2 more games. Coffee County will host Lincoln County on Wednesday night at 7 PM in the Region 4AAA championship. First pitch will be at 7 PM. Coffee County has also earned a bid in the Sectional scheduled for Friday night. The Lady Raiders will take on either Walker Valley or Ooltewah. Friday’s game time and location will be decided on the basis of the Region Championships. Thunder Radio will bring you the broadcast of each of the Lady Raiders games until the end of the season. Lucky Knott will bring you live coverage beginning with the pregame show 15 minutes prior to first pitch.
Download the complete broadcast at: http://www.thunder1320.com/downloads/
Sharp is New Coffee County Industrial Board Executive Director
Coffee County Industrial Board Executive Director Ted Hackney retired earlier this year and Kimber Sharp has been serving as an interim director since January. Last week Sharp was approved by the Industrial Board of Coffee County to serve as its next executive director. She has served as assistant to the executive director of the industrial board from 2013 until taking over as interim director.
The board is expected to ratify the employment contract at its meeting in June, pending approval from the Coffee County Commission.
The board chose Sharp over two other candidates, Don Crownover and Chad Marcum.
Grundy County Man Dies in ATV Accident
Law enforcement and an ambulance were dispatched to the area around Pryor Ridge Road, near the Marion County/Grundy County line, around 10:30 CST Friday night.
23-year-old Garret Bryant of Grundy County was killed in an ATV accident late Friday night in Marion County.
Bryant was ejected from a side-by-side ATV when it flipped. According to Marion County Sheriff Bo Burnett, Bryant died instantly.
Bryant’s body has been taken to Nashville for an autopsy.
The driver of the ATV, a 19-year-old, was injured in the crash. The sheriff said his injuries are not serious.
