Category: News

DREMC members should be on guard for a resurfacing of an electric bill payment scam, which was reported in the Manchester area last week.
The people behind this fraud instruct members to pay their electric bills right then by credit card over the phone, or they will be disconnected within 30 minutes. The scammers have left this number, 931-572-5620, ext. 1, with members to call back with their credit card information. Thankfully, most of the members became immediately aware that this was a scam and did not give any payment information to the scammers. However, one such business fell prey to the scam and sent the scammers $350.
“We appreciate our members for calling the Manchester DREMC district office and reporting the scam,” says Michael Millraney, Manchester district manager. “This gives us the opportunity to alert members across our entire service area.”
“Please remember, if you ever have questions about your bill or a recent payment, call your local DREMC office yourself to ensure that you are talking to an actual DREMC employee working in one of our local offices,” advised Millraney.
DREMC mails late notices if your bill is past due, and the notices include a scheduled disconnection date. There also are a variety of ways to pay bills, including in the local offices, by phone talking to a DREMC representative on lines manned 24/7, online at www.dremc.com and by using our free and secure mobile app download.

Manchester City Schools Director Lee Wilkerson has announced the appointment of Julie Green to serve as Principal at Westwood Middle School (WMS).
Now former WMS Principal Chad Fletcher has been reassigned in the system.
Green has served as a special education teacher, fourth grade teacher, assistant principal and principal through her 26 years in public education. Most recently Green has served as assistant principal at College Street Elementary School and brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to this position.
Green earned a B.S. degree from Middle Tennessee State University, a M.S. degree from Tennessee Technological University and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in education.

A Flintville woman was arrested on drug charges by Manchester Police.
Alishia Suzette Burks, 29, of Flintville was charged with manufacturing/delivering/possession of a controlled substance, possession of schedule II, possession of legend drug without a prescription and illegal possession of a weapon.
On Sept. 26 Manchester Police Officer Devin DeFord responded to a welfare check at Speedway Market on Oak Drive. Burks was found asleep in her car at the gas pump.
Upon awakening Burks, when the officer asked if she was okay, she said she was sick.
The officer obtained permission to search her car. When he searched the vehicle, warrants state that the officer allegedly found a vial and a bag of crystal meth in the center console. She also had three Hydrocodone pills in her front pocket and 19 Gabapentin tablets without a prescription.
She was also in possession of an illegal automatic knife.
She was booked into the Coffee County Jail with a bond of $21,500. She is to appear in Coffee County General Sessions Court on Oct. 3.

Warren County authorities have been investigating rumors of a threat circulating on social media that began Thursday night. The threat reportedly involved Warren County High School. But in a statement to parents and students Friday, WCHS Principal Jimmy Walker said the sheriff’s department was notified Thursday night and found no credibility to the rumors.
Extra security was on duty at the high school Friday as classes were held as usual.
Walker said officials will continue to investigate the situation.

All three carriers offering health insurance through the Federally Facilitated Marketplace in Tennessee have signed agreements to provide coverage next year.
The Tennessee Department Commerce and Insurance says open enrollment will begin on Nov. 1.
The agency plans to hold its annual public meeting with health insurance companies in Nashville on Thursday. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Cigna and Oscar Health are scheduled to present their coverage plans.
BlueCross BlueShield has said the cost of its plans are expected to rise by an average of 21 percent, while Cigna’s increases are expected to average 37 percent.
Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak is also the president-elect of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. She sent a letter on the national group’s behalf on Friday to urge congressional action to stabilize health care markets.