News 2013

 A Bradyville man was arrested last week on meth charges after police questioned him in the parking lot of a church.  According to the Southern Standard,Kevin Blake Gannon age 32 of Bradyville was arrested  on charges of initiating the process to manufacture meth, promoting the manufacture of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia and theft.  Gannon was sitting in a parking lot of a church in Centertown when Warren County sheriff’s deputy Jason Fowler pulled up.  After checking his license it came back that Gannon was wanted in Cannon County on more meth related charges.  After getting permission, Fowler searched the car and found more items used to manufacture meth.  At the time that Fowler discovered Gannon, Gannon had been text messaging people seeking to purchase items used in the manufacture of Meth.  

The Cannon County Lionettes brought back yet another Christmas tournament trophy to Woodbury this weekend when they collected the championship of the Rhea County Booster Club pre-Christmas tournament in Evensville.  After a dismal game in which they still won against first round opponent Sequatchie County Thursday night, the Lionettes got back to being dominant Friday night with a 53-34 win against Walker Valley of Cleveland TN to earn the right to play in the championship game.  Their opponent in the championship game was the host team Rhea County.  The Lady Golden Eagles have seen enough of the Lionettes after Cannon County pasted a 66-47 win to grab the championship.  It was the second win over the Rhea County team in as many months by a wide margin.  Cannon County improves to 15-1 on the year as they prepare for another basketball tournament in Washington D.C. right after Christmas The Cannon County Lions came back from Maryville with two more wins on their record.  After an opening day defeat to the hands of Knoxville Halls, the Lions behind Cory Henley’s 32 points knocked down Morristown East in the second round of the Athletic House Russell Christmas tournament 65-53.  Cannon would move into the fifth place game and again Cory would come to the rescue with 23 points as the Lions survived South Greene 78-76.  Cannon County’s record going into Christmas is 14-2 with the Lions slated to participate in the Sonic Shootout in Sparta Thursday.
 

Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Mass Communication is gaining national attention, ranking among the top 20 programs in the U.S., according to a survey by a popular news industry trade publication. TV Week’s NewsPro Magazine released results of the survey in its December issue, listing the nation’s top Mass Communication and Journalism colleges. The University of Missouri had the top-ranked program.
The survey was distributed to members of the Radio Television Digital News Association, with 1,321 respondents participating. MTSU was the only Tennessee university in the rankings.
“We appreciate this recognition by the nation’s broadcast and digital professionals, particularly because it reaffirms the important role our graduates are playing in America’s media,” said Ken Paulson, dean of MTSU’s College of Mass Communication.
MTSU’s Center for Innovation in Media, which opened in January 2012 within the Bragg Mass Communication Building, houses operations for all student media outlets — the student newspaper, Sidelines, TV station MT-10 HD and radio station WMTS-FM 88.3 — as well as WMOT 89.5FM, MTSU’s 100,000-watt public radio station.
The Associated Press Media Editors recognized the Center for Innovation in Media last year for its efforts to converge MTSU student media and foster collaboration across media platforms.
“It is an honor to be recognized by media professionals that we are a leading program for journalism education and training,” said professor Dwight Brooks, director of the MTSU School of Journalism.
“Being named on this list is a testament to our many outstanding students and dedicated faculty and staff. As director, I see this as an affirmation that we are on the right track in building our program. We remain committed to excellence and innovation in journalism and mass communication education.”
Billy Pittard, chair of MTSU’s Department of Electronic Media Communication, pointed to the impact MTSU graduates are already having within the industry.
“It’s impressive to see so many of our Multimedia Journalism alumni working at every level of TV news across the nation. This recognition is evidence of their professionalism, and of the passionately committed and forward-thinking faculty we have here in the college.”

Road construction won’t delay travelers during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is once again halting all lane closure activity on interstates and state highways in anticipation of higher traffic volumes across the state.   No temporary lane closures will be allowed for construction on Tennessee roadways beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 24, 2013 through 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 2, 2014.  
 
“Two million drivers are expected to travel Tennessee roadways during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, and we want to do everything possible to maximize capacity on our roadways,” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer. “We also want to keep our roadways safe. Our law enforcement partners will be out in full force so wear your seatbelt, reduce your speed, avoid distractions, and don’t drive if you’ve been drinking.”
Except for a few long-term closures which must remain in place for safety, all construction related closures will be suspended during the holiday period.  Workers may still be on site in some construction zones.  Drivers should obey all posted speed limits, particularly in construction areas.  Slower speeds are necessary in work zones due to the temporary layout of the roadway and will be enforced.  Drivers convicted of speeding through work zones where workers are present face a fine of $250 to $500, plus court fees and possible increased insurance premiums. 
AAA predicts holiday travel will increase about 1.5% in Tennessee this year, with 2 million expected to travel by automobile in the volunteer state between the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Across the U.S. 85.8 million people are expected to drive to their year-end holiday destinations. Americans will travel an estimated 805 miles round trip.
Updated travel and construction information can be found on the TDOT SmartWay website at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway or you may call 5 1 1.  You can also receive traffic alerts via TDOT’s multiple Twitter feeds, including statewide traffic tweets @TN511 or any of TDOT’s other Twitter pages.  Smartphone users can download the TDOT SmartWay mobile app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store for Android to access TDOT’s SmartWay cameras, messages displayed on overhead Dynamic Message Signs, and information on construction related lane closures and incidents on interstates and state routes.
As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for their destination.  Drivers should never tweet, text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

A Warren County woman is charged with TennCare fraud involving doctor shopping, or using the state’s Medicaid managed care program to go to multiple healthcare providers in order to obtain controlled substances.The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with assistance from sheriff’s officers in Warren and White counties, today announced the arrest of Iris Quinn, 52, of Sparta, Tennessee.
Quinn is charged with three counts of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain controlled substances by doctor shopping for controlled substance prescriptions, with the physician office visits being paid for with TennCare benefits.
“The unauthorized use and abuse of prescription drugs obtained with TennCare benefits is a serious crime,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. “We are committed to ensuring that TennCare benefits are not used to put drugs in the wrong hands.”
TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge. District Attorney General Lisa S. Zavogiannis is prosecuting.
The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $3.5 million paid in restitution and recoupment to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $173 million for the TennCare program, according to latest figures.  To date, over 2,000 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.

It’s here: the seasonal wave of flu that affects thousands of Americans every year. Flu activity is measurably rising in Tennessee, and while doctors here are not yet seeing the higher number of cases reported in some neighboring states, the Tennessee Department of Health believes more cases will be identified here soon.“We’re just at the start of flu season and those who have not received a flu shot or flu nasal spray should do so immediately,” said State Epidemiologist Tim Jones, MD. “It is not too late to be vaccinated. We especially urge vaccinations for people who are or will come in contact with those at highest risk of complications, particularly pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic health problems and young children.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccinations for everyone more than six months old. Infants can’t be helped by vaccine and rely on people around them to be protected. Just avoiding contact if you are sick isn’t enough, because people can give the flu to others about a day before they even feel ill.
Preliminary studies of early flu cases indicate the flu vaccine available this year is a good match to prevent it. According to the CDC, vaccinations in last year’s flu season prevented about 80,000 hospitalizations nationwide and approximately 1,600 in Tennessee.
“Unfortunately, influenza can be deadly, sometimes even for otherwise healthy people, and as times of festive togetherness approach, being protected yourself can save others from a terrible illness or worse,” said TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH. “When we get a flu shot, we protect others along with ourselves. That protection is a great gift to give this time of year.”
Flu vaccines are readily available across Tennessee from a number of sources and take only a few minutes to receive. 
The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. For more information about TDH services and programs, visit http://health.state.tn.us/.

For most of us, the holiday season represents a time for family festivities and good cheer. What few of us consider is that the holiday season is a time when there is an increased risk of home fires. Add to that the hectic nature of shopping, event planning, and meal preparation, and the chance for home fires grows even more.“As everyone gets busier during the holidays, we often become rushed, distracted or tired,” says State Fire Marshal and Commerce & Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “That’s when home fires are more likely to occur, especially those in the kitchen.”
Fortunately, with a little added awareness to holiday cooking, the season can remain festive and safe for everybody. “By taking some preventative steps and following simple rules of thumb, most home fires can be prevented,” says McPeak.
With unattended cooking as the leading cause of U.S. home fires and home fire injuries, it is essential to stay in the kitchen while you’re frying, grilling or broiling food. Most cooking fires involve the stovetop, so keep anything that can catch fire away from it, and turn off the stove when you leave the kitchen, even if it’s for a short period of time. If you’re simmering, boiling, baking or roasting food, check it regularly and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking. The State Fire Marshal’s Office also suggests creating a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food and drinks are prepared or carried.
During the five-year period of 2008-2012, Tennessee fire departments responded to 9,921 cooking fires in residential structures. These fires caused 29 civilian deaths, 255 injuries, and $34.3 million in direct property damage. A range or cooktop was the equipment involved in ignition 82% of the time.
Keep these safety tips in mind as you prepare your holiday meal this season:

Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop.

Keep anything that can catch fire—oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains—away from your stovetop.

Stay in the kitchen while you’re frying, grilling or broiling food. Turn off the stovetop when you leave the kitchen, even if it’s for a short period of time.                                                                  

If you’re simmering, boiling, baking or roasting food, check it regularly and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.

Create a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food and drinks are prepared or carried.

If you have a cooking fire, just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. Call 911 or the local emergency number immediately after you leave.

If you do try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and that you have access to an exit.

Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Slide the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled. For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
As always, be sure to have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home. Test them monthly and keep them equipped with fresh batteries at all times. Plan and practice a home fire escape plan with two ways out of every room and a designated outside meeting place.

High School Basketball Scores:  Girls-Cannon County 53 Walker Valley 34.  Lionettes move to championship game of Rhea County Booster Club Tournament and will play Rhea County tonight at 6:00 CST Boys-Cannon County 65 Morristown East 53.  Boys will play South Greene today at 1:00 CST

Judge Susan Melton Presided over General Sessions on Tuesday.  Some of the results of the various cases that appeared on the docket included:Timothy Scott Auberry pled guilty to disorderly conduct.  He was sentenced to 30 days in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation and paying the costs.
Alton Brian Burdy pled guilty to hunting with an illegal firearm.  He was sentenced to 6 months in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, forfeiting his weapon, losing his hunting privileges for 1 year, paying a $250 fine and the costs.
Donald Lee Curlee agreed to the violation of his probation.  He was ordered to serve 30 days and his probation was extended 11 months.
Mark Faiola pled guilty to hunting over bait.  He was ordered to pay a $100 fine and the costs and forfeit his weapon.
Heather Jean Farris pled guilty to reckless endangerment.  She was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was partially suspended upon serving 5 days, equal time on probation, paying a $525 fine and the costs.
Jacob H. Foster agreed to the violation of his probation.  He was ordered to serve 14 days and his probation was extended 11 months 29 days.
Thomas Lee Keathley pled guilty to DUI.  He was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  In addition Keathley was ordered to pay a $350 fine and the costs.
Steven Cyle Medley pled guilty to possession of a schedule II drug.  He was sentenced o 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying a $750 fine and the costs.
Mark Lewis Sherell pled guilty to hunting over bait.  He was ordered to pay a $100 fine and forfeit his weapon.
Devin Aaron Tribble agreed to the violation of his probation.  He was ordered to serve 14 days and his probation was extended 11 months 29 days.
Trent J. Vickers pled guilty to hunting over bait.  He was ordered to pay a $100 fine and forfeit his weapon.

Happy Holidays to everyone!  As we look back on 2013, we can only say, “wow” and “thank you”.  This has been an incredible year with the completion of the addition and renovation of the Adams Memorial Library.  Thanks to all of you for your contributions, encouragement, friendship, volunteer spirit, and smiling faces.  Come and enjoy your libraries often.  We try to have something for everyone. 
SALE!!!!!!  BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR!  The Friends of the Library have slashed prices on their used book sale through December 30th, 2013.  You can now buy hardback books for 25 cents each or 5 for $1.00.  Paperbacks are 10 cents each or 12 for  $1.00.  If you ask the staff, we can even show you a picture of how to build a Christmas tree out of used books.  Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get good reads at great prices.