Category: News

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) on Tuesday announced the arrest of Rachel Archer, 66, of Winchester TN. She is charged in connection with using TennCare to obtain the painkiller Hydrocodone, later selling a portion to an undercover informant. She is charged with TennCare fraud, sale of a Schedule III controlled substance, delivery of a Schedule III controlled substance and felony possession of a Schedule III controlled substance with the intent to sell or deliver. District Attorney General J. Michael Taylor is prosecuting the Franklin County case.
“Prescription drug fraud is a significant burden on the health care system and on communities across the state, “Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “We’re committed to eliminating this crime in the TennCare program, and local police and providers across the state are working with us in this effort.”
The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $3 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $163.6 million for TennCare, according to latest figures. To date, over 2,300 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.
Through the OIG Cash for Tips Program established by the Legislature, Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions. Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to www.tn.gov/tnoig/ and follow the prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”

Motorists should begin to notice lower gasoline prices in the coming weeks thanks to declining oil prices. Last week, a barrel of oil hit its lowest price since April, at a time when gasoline prices were about 20 cents cheaper.
“The decline at the pump is unlikely to be as dramatic as a 20 cent discount, but a few cents here and there is not out of the question,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Usually gas prices respond more rapidly to rising oil prices than when oil prices fall. Prices at the pump aren’t as quick to fall when oil prices do because retailers first need to sell the gasoline in their tanks, which was purchased when gasoline was more expensive.
Tennessee’s state average price for gasoline was $2.51 on Sunday – 1-cent cheaper than a week ago, 4 cents cheaper than a month ago, and 90 cents cheaper than the price this time last year. On Tuesday afternoon Manchester’s low price per gallon was $2.35 and in Tullahoma the low price was $2.36.

State officials have pulled a website that’s part of a new anti-DUI campaign following criticism that it takes a sexist approach to encouraging young men not to drive under the influence.
The Tennessean reported the site was taken down Monday night.
Some of the campaign slogans on the site that were criticized included girls looking “hotter” when guys are under the influence, and finding out “a marginally good-looking girl” later is “chatty,” ”clingy” or “your boss’s daughter” as signs that maybe a man has had too much to drink.
The campaign was put out by the Tennessee Governor’s Highway Safety Office.
Tennessee Department of Transportation spokeswoman BJ Doughty told The Associated Press on Tuesday that TDOT and GHSO pulled the site to re-evaluate it in light of the controversy.

Hundreds of incoming Tennessee college students are participating in an “academic boot camp” for the next three weeks. The state’s 13 community colleges have joined together to host the Tennessee Promise this summer. The program’s goal is to help first-generation college students become well-versed in what to expect in college life and terminology – things some of their peers may already be familiar with. Krissy DeAlejandro is the executive director of Tennessee Achieves, a nonprofit helping administer the program. “Learning the jargon, what’s a semester, what’s a credit hour? Who do I see around advising? It really is through an intense focus on the lexicon that often first-generation students lack,” she says. The voluntary summer “bridge” program offers help to students who would otherwise require remedial classes in their first year of college, before pursuing classes in support of their degree. While Tennessee Achieves has been operating a pilot program for the last four years, additional funding helped expand it this year. DeAlejandro says as many as 97 percent of their participants were able to avoid remedial classes in the fall. Students will also receive intensive training in college-level math and English in order to help level the playing field as they begin their freshman year. “It’s a giant confidence booster,” she says. “Students who are first generation often feel like they’re not college material. Going into this environment and meeting a college professor is a huge win for these students.” The Tennessee Promise program expanded this year, in part because of $400,000 provided by this year’s state budget. DeAlejandro says 90 percent of the students in summer bridge programs in 2013 were still enrolled the following year in college.

A Coffee County deputy attempted to stop a vehicle in the Manchester Walmart parking lot Saturday evening due to an equipment violation. When the deputy turned on his blue lights the subject took off at a high rate of speed. The driver was identified as Jimmy Ray Wise, Jr age 26 of 702 Highland Dr. in Manchester.
According to a warrant, Wise took police through Coffee, Warren, Van Buren and Sequatchie counties at speeds in excess of 115 mph, driving recklessly causing extreme danger to the public. The warrant goes onto say the man had a female passenger who begged him to stop for fear of her life due to his driving. The Coffee County deputy report indicates that Wise attempted several times to crash the patrol car by slamming on his brakes and at one point crashed into the deputy’s car. Upon finally getting the vehicle stopped the subject had an open can of beer and an open knife wedged with the handle sticking out for him to easily grab.
Wise was arrested and charged with evading arrest, reckless endangerment, assault/simple assault, aggravated assault, open container, illegal possession of a weapon and driving on revoked/suspended license, 6th offense. After being booked at the Coffee County Jail on a $129,000 bond, his court date was set for July, 27.

A trial over the constitutionality of Tennessee’s preferred method of executing prisoners is entering its second week.
Attorneys for 33 death row inmates have so far presented expert witnesses to discuss technical aspects of the procedure. That includes the role of compounding pharmacists in producing the lethal injection drug.
The inmates’ attorneys are trying to show the compounded form of the drug is likely to cause a condemned inmate to suffer extreme pain.
Another expert witness suggested that someone given a high dose of the drug could all of sudden recover from a death-like coma.
Attorneys for the state have argued much of the testimony is irrelevant. They say inmates are not guaranteed a painless death.

Capt. David J. Bryson, a native of Tullahoma, Tenn., took command of Naval Support Activity (NSA) Mid-South, in Millington, Tenn., during a change of command ceremony on July 10. Capt. Douglas H. Walker, a native of Tulsa, Okla., relinquished command to Bryson during a traditional Navy ceremony. Walker served as commanding officer since July, 2013. While Millington was not his first choice when he selected new military orders two years ago, Walker said he is grateful that he had the opportunity to serve in such a supportive and patriotic town.
Bryson is taking command following a successful tour as chief of staff for the joint J8 Directorate, which provides analysis support to the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman. Bryson, who in addition to being native to Tennessee is an alumnus of “Ole Miss” Mississippi University, said he and his family were excited when they found out that he would have the opportunity to serve in the Mid-South. “We are all excited to be home,” he said. “And this is home.” Bryson said he looked forward to working with the military and civilians at NSA Mid-South.

A Tullahoma man lost his life in a single vehicle crash early Saturday morning on the Old Estill Springs Road. Brian Hambrick was killed when the car he was driving left the roadway and struck a tree. Hambrick was pronounced dead at the scene.
A passenger in the vehicle was flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville for treatment. At this time we do not know the extent of the injuries.
The crash was investigated by Tullahoma Officer Jim Tate.

A Winchester woman was arrested Thursday after she allegedly broke into the residence of her former employer.
Rebecca Lynn Loudermilk, 37, was charged with breaking into the residence of Petros Pisinos on Spring Creek Road, Winchester while he and his family were out of the country in Greece visiting family between June 6 and July 1. Pisinos is the owner of Nicholas Restaurant in Tullahoma.
A report by Franklin County Sheriff’s Investigator Nick Watson says, Pisinos noticed when the family returned home that the windows were unlocked and a screen to a back window had been cut as well.
The report states that it appeared that someone had been sleeping in the beds of the residence.
Also Pisinos stated that his wife had a purse that contained a check book and children’s social security cards were missing.
Pisinos told the officer that he had security video that showed former employee Loudermilk inside the house. He made copies of the security video for investigators.
He reported to Tullahoma Police Investigator Tyler Hatfield of the theft of a checkbook from his business. He told the officer that Loudermilk took the checkbook.
Pisinos alleged that she went to his business to return a torn up check from the business. He said that an attempt had been made to pass the $7,000 check at First Vision Bank, but the bank had contacted him about cashing the check. He also told the investigator that he has records of where three other checks had been cashed in the amount of over $500.
Loudermilk was arrested in Franklin County on charges of aggravated burglary, criminal trespassing and theft of property under $500. She is free on a bond of $25,000. There are also charges pending against her in Coffee County.