A Franklin County Man must serve 11 years on probation and pay $94,000 in restitution to his insurance company as well as a $25,000 court-ordered fine as a result of a conviction this summer of insurance fraud related to a 2013 fire on his property.
James Walls, 33, was sentenced in August by a Franklin County jury at the conclusion of a three-day trial. Walls was accused of starting a fire at his home at 114 Hessey Branch Lane in Decherd in Franklin County. He was convicted of one charge of Insurance Fraud related to arson.
The trial came at the conclusion of a joint investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) Bomb & Arson Section, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and insurance investigators.
To report a suspected arson, call the Tennessee Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017. The Arson Hot Line is a phone line dedicated to receiving information about suspicious fires. It is answered 24 hours a day and you may remain anonymous when providing information. Cash awards are offered for information leading to an arrest or conviction.
Category: News
Franklin County Man Must Pay Restitution, Fine in Insurance Fraud Case
Low Gas Prices Make Drivers Happy
Low gas prices influenced what AAA forecasts to be the most Labor Day motorists to take a road trip in seven years. The average price for gasoline was the lowest on the holiday in 11 years.
Labor Day marks the end of the busy summer travel season, which means gas demand will decline as fewer people take road trips. As a result, gas prices in the autumn and winter seasons could be the cheapest of the year.
On Labor Day 2015, the national average price for a gallon of gasoline was $2.40. The average price is $2.10 in Tennessee. Prices were more than a $1 cheaper than the average price on Labor Day 2014.
Gas prices are largely driven by the price of oil. After selling as low as $38 two weeks ago, the price of oil averaged $46.73 last week. That was the same price oil was selling at in January when state average gas prices were at the lowest point of the year, averaging $1.88 in Tennessee. Since peaking at $2.58 on June 17th, the Tennessee average price for gasoline has declined 77 of the past 81 days, for a total of 48 cents.
As of Tuesday afternoon the low price in Manchester was $1.95 per gallon and $2.01 in Tullahoma.
Hope and Family Fest is Saturday
Noah Hinshaw
The Hope and Family Fest is coming to the Manchester Rotary Park this Saturday from 3-8pm. Join Thunder Radio and others for a day filled with family fun, entertainment, live music, shopping, food, games, kids activities, and much more! Recording artist Noah Hinshaw will perform along with others. There is no admission charge.
This is a fundraising event to benefit THE ONE DAY OF HOPE coming up in October! The One Day Of Hope is a group of over 23 churches and businesses who donate their time and resources to provide meals, clothes, dental checks, haircuts, diapers, hygiene packages, and so much more to over 4,000 LOCAL people in need in just ONE day! That takes money and we are excited to help them raise funds for their event and offer this fun day to our community as well! For more information call WMSR at 728-1320.
Duck River Electric Membership Corporation Warns of Phone Scam
Duck River Electric Membership Corporation is warning members about phone scam calls in the service area. Callers are falsely linking themselves to DREMC, claiming the member’s account is past due and if payment is not made, electricity would be disconnected. The calls originate from 818-359-0121.
“These types of scams are becoming more frequent, and it is disturbing for everyone,” says Steve Oden, DREMC Director of Member Services. “Homes and businesses are being targeted with this latest scheme, and we want our members to be aware of how to handle it if it happens to them.”
DREMC would like members to know if they receive a questionable call, they should not give out any personal information. They are advised to hang up and contact their local DREMC office.
Furthermore, DREMC employees do not ask members for payment information unless the member initiates the call. Also, if someone claiming to be a DREMC employee asks for payment at your home or business, please demand official identification. Remember that DREMC and its contractors should be in clearly marked vehicles. If they cannot readily produce identification, contact the authorities.
Bill payment methods available to DREMC members include bank draft, online bill pay, pay by phone, pay by mobile app, pay by mail and pay in person.
Medical Coding Changing For Doctors and Hospitals
If things are a bit tense in your doctor’s office come Oct. 1, some behind-the-scenes red tape could be to blame.
That’s the day when the nation’s physicians and hospitals must start using a massive new coding system to describe your visit on insurance claims so they get paid.
Today, U.S. health providers use a system of roughly 14,000 codes to designate a diagnosis – for reimbursement purposes and in medical databases.
The updated system has about 68,000 codes, essentially an expanded dictionary to capture more of the details from a patient’s chart.
The government says the long-awaited change should help health officials’ better track quality of care, spot early warning signs of a brewing outbreak or look for illness or injury trends.
BBB Scam Warning
The Better Business Bureau is alerting consumers to multiple timeshare scams working hard to steal money from unsuspecting timeshare owners. BBB has uncovered numerous instances of these schemes – all claiming to be located right here in Middle Tennessee. These con artists contact timeshare owners through unsolicited phone calls with trumped up promises of reselling the timeshare by deceiving the consumer with claims that they have a buyer for the property.
Consumers who respond to these shysters are told they must pay a fee, usually ranging from $2000 – $4000, prior to completion of the agreement. Upon receipt of payment, the broker contacts the owner again stating taxes have to be paid on the transaction, which usually ranges from $2000- $3000. In some cases the broker calls a third time asking for a transaction fee for another $2000- $3000. On one occasion the broker offered to pay $100 toward the transaction fee as a means to make the offer sound legit since the owner had to make several payments and began questioning why more money was necessary.
BBB visited each of the addresses where the following timeshare resellers claimed to be:
• Blue Ridge International Sales – 530 Mainstream Dr, Ste 272, Nashville, TN
• Title Deed Auction and Exchange – 4636 Lebanon Pike, Ste 341, Hermitage, TN
• New World Asset Connection – 134 Second Ave South, Nashville, TN
The actual locations for two were parking lots and the third used a UPS Store.
BBB also checked with the State of Tennessee, and none of them have a state business license nor do they have the required Tennessee Real Estate License to transact this type of sale. In Tennessee, it is unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, to engage in or conduct, to advertise or claim to be engaging in or conducting the business, or acting in the capacity of a real estate broker, affiliate broker, time-share salesperson or acquisition agent, within this state, without first obtaining a license as a broker, affiliate broker, time-share salesperson or acquisition agent.
Each of these timeshare scams has been awarded an F Rating with BBB. If you have done business with Blue Ridge International Sales, Title Deed Auction and Exchange, or New World Asset Connection BBB would like to speak with you. Please call 615.250.4223.
Scarbrough Scholarship Winner Announced
Emily Alexander of Woodbury was recently awarded the John and Martha Scarbrough scholarship through the Motlow College Foundation. Pictured here, in front from left, Martha Scarbrough and Emily. In back, John Scarbrough and Jan Rogers, director of advancement at Motlow.
Alexander is currently employed at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and intends to pursue the Registered Nurse (RN) degree at Motlow before continuing on to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Emily and her husband Jesse have a two-year-old son, Ty.
Possible Computer Hacking In Grundy County
The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a report of possible computer system hacking and threats made toward students and staff by a fellow student. The Investigation into possible computer hacking in the GCHS main system has been unfounded. Sheriff Clint Shrum explained, “There is no proof that any student or staff information has been compromised.” Additionally, the investigation into alleged threats is still ongoing. “We are investigating to see whether these threats were part of an actual conversation or something taken out of context,” Shrum said.
“The Grundy County Department of Education is currently working with the Grundy County Sheriff’s Department on the alleged threats made by a student. The safety of all our students and staff on all of our campuses is our utmost priority,” stated Dr. Willie Childers, Grundy County Director of Schools.
Sheriff Shrum commented that at no time did he feel this situation was out of control or unmonitored to the point where students and staff were in danger.
Police Looking For Man Who Killed a Teenager On Sunday
A Bedford County man is wanted in connection with a shooting death in Fayetteville, according to local police.
The incident began as a fight, just before 1:30 Sunday morning, inside 801 Main Avenue South in the city. Police referred to the location as a “game room.”
Police say 19-year old Carlton Capone Caruth was shot and killed in the parking lot outside the building.
They have identified the suspect as 29-year old Michael Domonic Sales, who is from Bedford County. He has not been arrested. Police say he will be charged with criminal homicide when found.
Anyone with information can call the Fayetteville Police Department at (931) 438-7771.
Man Shot and Killed In McMinnville
One person is dead after a shooting incident Friday night at Arms Apartments in McMinnville on Old Smithville Rd. Police say 28 year old Rofino Soto died of a gunshot wound after being taken to River Park Hospital in McMinnville.
Police say he was shot by 51 year old Herbert Conley. Conley at last report had not been charged as McMinnville Police are continuing their investigation.
The incident happened at around 9:30 Friday night.
