Category: News

In Tennessee, an estimated 900 men, women, and children die by suicide each year. More people die by suicide each year than from homicide, AIDS, or drunk driving. Suicide is the leading cause of violent deaths in our state, nationally, and worldwide, far above homicide and death due to natural disasters.
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among youth and young adults ages 15-24 in Tennessee and for the United States at large. According to the Tennessee Department of Health, there were 945 recorded suicide deaths in our state in 2014, at a rate of 14.7 per 100,000 people.
In almost all cases, suicide can be traced to unrecognized, untreated, or poorly treated mental illness. It can happen to people of either sex, any race or economic status. The average suicide death leaves behind six survivors–family and friends of the deceased–all of who are at increased risk for a suicide attempt themselves. As if the emotional and psychological toll were not enough, suicide and suicide attempts cost the state of Tennessee $1 billion a year in medical treatment, lost wages, and lost productivity.
The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN) and its allies in the public health, mental health, and social service fields are joining forces to recognize the month of September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. During this annual observance, TSPN and its allies arrange several educational and memorial events across Tennessee.
As part of this observance, mayors and county executives across Tennessee will receive proclamations declaring September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, which they will sign in support of our state’s Suicide Prevention Awareness Month efforts. These proclamations will be presented at the annual Suicide Prevention Awareness Day event, scheduled for 10:30 AM on Wednesday, September 9, at Trevecca Community Church, located at 335 Murfreesboro Pike in Nashville. (WGNS Radio)

 

James M. (Jimmy) Sain, of Hillsboro died as a result of the injuries he received in a one vehicle accident late Wednesday afternoon. According to a report filed by Tennessee Highway Patrolman Sgt. Larry Fraley, Sain was driving a 2001 Jeep traveling west off of State Hwy. 127 when the vehicle ran off the shoulder and then apparently lost control, came back into the road, flipping twice and landing in a fence row.
The THP report indicates that Sain was ejected from the Jeep.
Sain is the former chairman of the Coffee County School Board Chairman. He served on the board for 12 years, beginning in 1998.

Here’s a study that could give you a real headache: Three Tennessee cities top a list of migraine “hot spots,” according to a report by Sperling’s Best Places. For this survey, the demographic research firm analyzed the number of migraine-related drug prescriptions, people’s hours worked, commute time, environmental factors and diets. Dr. Jan Brandes, a neurology professor at Vanderbilt University, said Tennessee’s weather is another factor. “One of the issues that may play a role has to do with barometric pressure shift,” she said. “So, we have four seasons here, and any time there’s a fluctuation in barometric pressure, that – for many migraineurs – can trigger an attack.” Knoxville, Nashville, and the Tri-Cities made the top 10 on a list that includes 110 cities. Brandes said people can reduce their incidence of migraines by reducing alcohol and caffeine intake, and also to be aware of certain foods that, for some people, can be “triggers” for headaches. The study estimated that 18 percent of women and 6-percent of men suffer from migraines, which are most frequent in people ages 25 to 55. For those who are diagnosed with migraines, Brandes said, it’s important not to overuse medications that may relieve their symptoms. “We know that Tennessee’s very high on prescription medication use,” she said. “We know that if you take a short-acting medication more than two or three days a week, that can promote daily headache.” She added that migraines often are misdiagnosed as sinus headaches, so experts recommend getting a specific diagnosis to ensure the proper medication is being used. The report is online at bestplaces.net.

Bad weather put a stop to a fireworks display on July 3 in Tullahoma, but now the Tullahoma Kiwanis Club has announced they will host a fireworks show that was originally scheduled for the July 4th weekend this Sunday, September 6th at Wilkins Stadium. The show will take place at approximately 8:15 p.m., but plenty of activities will be happening beforehand such as vendors and music.
In the case of rain, an alternate date has yet to be announced. The show is free to attend.

David Scott Kelnhofer of Smyrna was arrested Tuesday after a Coffee County deputy found him to be in possession of drugs.
The man was stopped by a deputy for a traffic violation after Coffee County Investigator James Sherrill observed Kelnhofer texting and driving erratic. As officers approached the SUV they allegedly observed drug paraphernalia laying in the seat.
Personnel with the sheriff’s department searched the man and allegedly found a plastic container with two baggies of meth weighing one and a half grams. Among other things allegedly found was another baggie containing a quarter gram of meth along with digital scales, needles and other items.
Kelnhofer, 40 of Seminary Road, Smyrna was charged with manufacture/delivery/sell of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Kelnhofer was booked into the Coffee County Jail under a $17,500 bond. He is to appear in Coffee County General Sessions Court Sept. 28.

For the first time in decades all 95 Tennessee counties have adopted their annual budget resolutions by August 31. This extraordinary achievement means that Tennessee counties are now operating under a locally adopted budget for the current fiscal year.
Tennessee counties are also in full compliance with Public Chapter 170, Acts of 2015. This new law allows counties that do not adopt a budget resolution prior to June 30 to operate under a continuation budget through August 31. Counties with extraordinary circumstances preventing the adoption of a budget resolution by August 31 may request approval from the Comptroller of the Treasury to operate until September 30.
The Tennessee County Services Association requested Public Chapter 170 from the State Legislature, and its members should be commended for adhering to its requirements.
In the past, it was not uncommon for some Tennessee counties to operate without a current budget into October.