July 05 Stories

 

  Robbers    7/28/05  

      On July 26, 2005 officers of the Puryear PD and Henry County Sheriff’s office were involved in apprehending several suspects involved in an armed robbery which occurred in Murray.

     KY officers received information that 3 suspects, 2 women and one man, were in a Chevy Caprice.  Officer Phil Brodell located the car in Puryear and with the assistance of other officers stopped the vehicle.  In the vehicle was Jerome McBride who attempted to flee and hide a handgun that was used in the robbery.   Officers  located cash and stolen jewelry in the car as well as an illegal sawed off shot gun that had several of the serial numbers removed.  McBride, Jeffery Patton, Edwin Hall, Tamika Bonds and Jennette Grigsby were charged with theft of property over $1,000.00.  McBride faces additional charges of evading arrest, unlawful possession of a weapon.   Possession of a scheduled 6 drug and possession of drug paraphernalia charges were filed against Grigsby.  KY authorities have charged McBride with 1st degree robbery, 1st degree burglary, theft over $300 and 1st degree wanton endangerment and assault.  Patton, Grigsby and Bonds were charged in KY with 1st degree robbery and burglary as well as theft over $300.  

  HCMC   7/28/05

     “The state has been inundate with appeals by TenCare enrollees hoping to remain on the program but who have been told they will be removed.” stated Henry County Medical Center Administrator, Thomas Gee at Thursday’s HCMC board of trustees meeting.

     Under current guidelines enrollees will only be able to receive 5 prescriptions.

     In other business Gee stated that the Medical Center had ranked high on the last surveys conducted at the hospital.  During the 5 days the surveyors were there only 3 recommendations, which must be met by Oct., were made.  “The excellent staff and partners we have here are our strength” stated Chairman of the Board Phil Wichlan.

     Construction in the remaining portions of the Tower addition and a new sleep lab may have to be put on hold.  According to Gee a ‘certificate of need’ may be needed to add the additional beds and space.   If so construction could be held up for 3 months.

     Admissions were up for the year as were inpatient services with the daily census averaging 64.  Surgery cases and outpatient services were also up from last year.  Employee turnover was down to about 20% and turnover at the Healthcare Center is also down.  “Lower turnover means a better trained staff,” stated Wichlan.  There are currently about 640 employees at HCMC.

     In a report from EMS Director Mike Shankle he stated that there is a shortage of EMT’s.  Also discussed was the mileage on current ambulances and the need for a new unit, which would then allow for a regular rotation for purchasing new units.  The average ambulance puts 170,000 miles on it each  year.  This year EMS fell just short of breaking even, a fact that is the envy of EMS departments state wide.

Tanner   7/27/05   

     In a news release from Congressman Tanner on the dangers of Methamphetamine he said that the on going struggle in Tennessee continues as the problem grows.  Tanner called meth a threat to the safety and security of our families.  “We can see how this drug abuse impacts crime and poverty.  It also leads to child abuse and neglect.”  He went on to say that meth labs contain dangerous materials and for every pound of meth produced 5 to 7 pounds of toxins are released into the environment.

      Tanner said for this reason he is pleased to be working with fellow Tennessean Rep, Bart Gordon on legislation that would help clean up meth lab sites in Tennessee communities.

      “The legislation has gained positive attention and is moving quickly through the legislative process.”

     Tanner praised Gov. Bredesen and local law enforcement agencies for shutting down, one at a time, meth labs across the state.

    

    BPU     7/26/05

     The Paris Board of Public Utilities ratified the action of the City commission, which allowed the utility to increase the waste water rates.  The board members stated that they appreciated the approval of the new rate which will keep the wasted water department from operating in the red.  TVA rate increases will be hitting home in the coming months.    Charles Perry, General Manager of BPU stated that a 7.5% rate increase would begin in Oct.  One way to keep down electric costs is to monitor your thermostat.  “When cooling units are running constantly, as in this heat, humidity levels in the home are very low.  This makes the inside temperature cooler and you can turn the thermostat down.” stated Perry.  Other cost cutting tips will appear in the August BPU newsletter.  According to Perry the rate increase was necessary.
      The board also approved the purchase of a 2001 GMC dump truck for the water department.  The used vehicle will be purchased from Wyatt Johnson in Clarksville for $21,000.  The department will be selling the old truck to cover some of the cost.  Also approved were new breakers to replace some from the 1930’s, located at the substation.  Write-offs in the amount of $12,965 for the quarter ending in June were approved at Tuesday’s meeting.     The board approved the purchase of insurance through the Tennessee Municipal League, which will begin in August.  This years rates were lower than last due to changes made in the workers compensation laws.      

Back to school Bash  7/26/05

        The Family Resource Center hosted a ‘Back to School Bash’ at the Central Community Service Center Tuesday where families that met income requirements could bring their children for school supplies. 

     Besides the usual scissors, pencils and glue children were also offered backpacks and gym shoes.

     There were 3 hallways full of participating booths as well.  Library director, Connie McSwayne who  had one of the booths stated,  “This is an opportunity to show the children and parents what we have to offer at the Library.”  Pre-registration was required for the event.

 Paris Commission  July 21, 2005 

     The Paris City Commission held a public meeting that no public attended Thursday.    After the public meeting the Commission passed on second reading the rate increase for wastewater rates requested by BPU.  The new rate will increase the average households bill by around $2.66 a month.

Paris Beer Board  July 21, 2005    

The Paris Alcoholic Beverage Control Board approved a new beer permit holder at Thursday afternoon’s meeting.  Super D manager Thomas Howard will become the new permit holder.  The current permit holder is retiring and with no past problems with the business the board approved the change.

 

Gas Company  July 19, 2005

     The Paris Henry County Gas Utility District met Tuesday at noon for their monthly meeting where Manager Glen Jackson reviewed the year’s bad debt write-off.    Less than $23,000, the bad debt made up only .004% of total sales for the fiscal year and was down considerably from last year due to the new policy requiring a deposit when gas service is turned on.  Board members congratulated Jackson for his diligence and hard work to bring the bad debt down from last year.

     The Utility has found that their new electronic gas meter readers are working out very well.  “We have added new lines and can read all the new meters without increasing our man power,” stated Jackson.  The board approved the purchase of an additional 500 of the hand held electronic devices at Tuesday’s meeting at a cost of $23,000.    
     3 ½  miles of new line have been laid in the last fiscal year and the Hwy 54 to Hwy 69 Project is to begin this week.  Jackson reported that the pipe for the project has arrived,   while clearing of land and  the laying of the pipe is expected to take around 8 weeks.

 

Henry County Commission meets. July 18-05 

     The Henry County Commissioners quickly went through their July meeting agenda Monday evening.  County Mayor Brent Greer was not present and the meeting was presided over by Commissioner James Travis. The half hour meeting caused  Commissioner Earl Anderson to jokingly  state,"Mr. Greer should be here to see how these meetings should be conducted."  Also absent were Commissioner Riggins and Commissioner Charlie Parker who is home recovering from surgery.    
      Commissioners passed on 1st reading the 2005-06 fiscal year budget.  Approved on second reading was the 2005-06 funding for non-profit organizations.   The commissioners  also approved a Business Personal Property Audit Services Agreement between Tax Management Associates, Inc. and Henry County.  The commission will hold a special Session of the Commission on August 4th  to set the tax rate and give final approval of the budget. 

 

 

Construction Site. July 18-05

     This is a new web site and my web page designer, Jim Anderson, and myself continue to work out the bugs!  So bear with us as we continue to try to bring you the current news in an informed and attractive manner, OK?  Jan