Postal service stamps go up today

The cost of mailing a letter goes up a penny to 42 cents today. The boost is part of what's expected to be an annual price adjustment by the Postal Service. A new law regulating the post office makes it easier to raise rates as long as the agency doesn't exceed the rate of inflation. Rates are to be adjusted each May. Customers, however, can buy Forever stamps , which remain valid regardless of any postal rate increase. However, when the rate goes up, so does the price of Forever stamps. Postal officials say they have printed an additional 1.5 billion 1¢ stamps in anticipation of the demand from people trying to get rid of their 41¢ stamps.

Fire kills elderly Hawkins Co. woman

Rogersville police and fire investigators are still looking into the cause of a house fire that took the life of an elderly woman late Saturday night. Shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday, the Rogersville Fire Department was dispatched to investigate smoke at a residence on Spring Street. The home belonged to 86 year old Frances Carr. Once the blaze was extinguished, She was found dead inside the home. The cause of death was listed as smoke inhalation. Investigators say they're pretty sure the fire started in an area of the house that had been added on. The wall was covered with a tar-based paneling. The paneling material generated thick smoke that spread into Carr's bedroom, overtaking her before she could escape. Officials say the fire appears accidental and foul play is not suspected. Carr lived alone in the house with two dogs, which both escaped.

Bristol "murder-suicide" investigated

POLICE IN BRISTOL, TN, ARE INVESTIGATING WHAT THEY SAY MAY BE A MURDER-SUICIDE. THE BODIES OF 33 YEAR OLD IVORY BLACK-CLARK AND HER 6 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, SYDNEY, WERE FOUND IN THEIR APARTMENT FRIDAY AFTER POLICE FORCED THEIR WAY INSIDE. LAW ENFORCEMENT BELIEVE THE BODIES HAD BEEN IN THE APARTMENT FOR AWHILE - BUT THEY AREN'T SAYING HOW LONG, NOR HAVE THEY RELEASED A CAUSE OF DEATH. ACCORDING TO POLICE, IVORY BLACK-CLARK WAS A REPORTED CRIME VICTIM MORE THAN 2 WEEKS AGO AND THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER WAS ATTEMPTING TO FOLLOW UP ON HER REPORT.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Bredesen tells lawmakers that deep cuts are necessary

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Gov. Phil Bredesen told lawmakers that it will take deep cuts to bridge a nearly half-billion dollar hole in Tennessee's upcoming spending plan. The governor is proposing cuts in TennCare and both primary and higher education. Bredesen followed up on a plan revealed last week to trim the state's work force by about 2,000 state employees by saying he's also eliminating a planned 2 percent pay raise. Bredesen, a Democrat, told lawmakers he will balance the budget without raising taxes, saying, "We can't tax our way out of this shortfall." Despite the cuts, Bredesen wants to set aside $100 million to help the state land unspecified economic development projects. Administration officials won't say which projects that money would target. But German automaker Volkswagen AG announced last month that Tennessee is among three states it is considering for a new plant.

MTSU linebackers participate in sleep study

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) - Middle Tennessee State University linebackers are participating in a new sleep study that hopes to shed light on a problem that affects football players. The 16 players have characteristics common to patients who have sleep apnea, a breathing disorder during sleep that causes a decrease or halt in airflow. It is common among people with thick necks, small airways and who are overweight. Dr. Kelly Carden, a sleep apnea expert, says football players, especially linemen who lift weights, are at risk of developing the disorder. Researchers behind the eight-month study at the Sleep Centers of Middle Tennessee also say treatment of sleep apnea could also improve the performance of the MTSU players.

Coach arrested for punching umpire

COLUMBIA, Tenn. (AP) - A Columbia girls softball coach who was arrested for punching an umpire during a weekend game has been released on bond. Johnathan Allan Rose, of Lawrenceburg, was charged with aggravated assault after police say he hit umpire David Ray Kelley during a game Saturday night. According to a police statement, Rose said an argument escalated over a call in the second inning and the umpire called him a "liar." Rose said he came down the first base line and struck him in the temple with his fist. The Daily Herald reported Monday that Rose was released on a $5,000 bond.

Bill would require voting paper trail for all counties

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A proposal that would require a paper record for voters' ballots in Tennessee is headed for a full Senate vote. The measure sponsored by Sen. Joe Haynes, a Goodlettsville Democrat, unanimously passed the Senate Finance Committee on Monday. The companion bill is scheduled for a full House vote on Tuesday. The bill would require that the paper trail process be in place no later than 2010. Besides verifying a voter's selections, the paper trail would also be used in recounts or random samplings testing the accuracy of electronic voting machines. A report released earlier this year by the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations shows only two of Tennessee's 95 counties keep a paper trail of voters' ballots and recommends all state counties adopt the practice.

State suspends new admissions to 3 Tenn. nursing homes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee health officials suspended new patient admissions to three nursing homes. Health Commissioner Susan Cooper said Monday the facilities may not accept new patients until violations found by inspectors have been corrected. The department has also recommended daily fines until the deficiencies have been remedied in addition to a $1,500 penalty. Claiborne County Nursing Home in Tazewell was found to have administration and patient protection problems. Inspectors found resident protection, records and reporting and nursing services standards problems at Hillcrest-West in Knoxville. Dove Health and Rehabilitation in Collierville was cited for building and fire safety violations.

Razor blades flatten tires on route to Smokies park

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Authorities closed the southbound lanes of the major tourist route into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for a time after a box of razor blades was scattered across it. Sevierville spokesman Bob Stahlke said the incident occurred about 7:30 a.m. Eastern on Monday and nearly a dozen drivers had tires go flat after driving over the spilled blades on Highway 66. No one was reported hurt in the incident. Stahlke said it appeared a box or bucket of the blades fell from a vehicle.

Man claims his actions led to murder of grandfather figure

MORRISTOWN, Tenn. (AP) - A Morristown man says he stole money and drugs, setting into action events that led to the death of a 94-year-old man he treated like a grandfather. Donnie Johnson told the Citizen Tribune that he stole $800 and 7.6 grams of crack cocaine from Darrell Nance, one of five people arrested in connection with Willie Morgan's murder. Johnson was living with Morgan, whom he called "Pawpaw." He alleges that Nance and the others kidnapped Morgan, beat him, killed him and severed his hand as revenge for the theft. Johnson said Nance had given him $800 and the cocaine to be sold for another $800. Nance gave him instruction to take the combined $1,600 to buy two ounces of powder cocaine for him. Johnson says he instead pocketed the money and kept the drugs for himself as payback for a time when Nance allegedly stole $5,000 from him.

Theft charges for Morristown residents

A PAIR OF LAKEWAY AREA RESIDENTS ARE FACING THEFT CHARGES IN A COUPLE OF UNRELATED INCIDENTS. MONDAY AFTERNOON, 28 YEAR OLD JESSICA BROWN OF BRIGHTS PIKE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY MORRISTOWN POLICE. BROWN HAD BEEN SOUGHT BY THE MPD IN A CASE INVOLVING A BREAK-IN AND THEFT AT AN APARTMENT RESIDENCE IN THE 2400 BLOCK OF BUFFALO TRAIL. BROWN ALLEGEDLY STOLE $725 CASH FROM THE VICTIM AFTER ILLEGALLY ENTERING THE APARTMENT. SHE'S CHARGED WITH THEFT OVER $500. 22 YEAR OLD WILLIAM KELLEY OF MORRISTOWN IS FACING A CHARGE OF THEFT OVER $1,000. KELLEY WAS CHARGED FOLLOWING AN INVESTIGATION INVOLVING A 42" FLAT SCREEN TV BELONGING TO AARON'S RENTAL SERVICE ON THE WEST A.J. KELLEY IS ACCUSED OF RENTING THE $1,500 TV AND THEN SELLING IT THAT SAME DAY.

East softball 1 win from trip to State Tournament

Only 1 Morristown High School baseball or softball team is still alive in the postseason. The East High softball team beat Volunteer yesterday, 4-3, at Frank Lorino Park. The Lady Canes have clinched a spot in Wednesday's Region Championship game and they will play Friday for a trip to the state tournament next week in Murfreesboro. Tomorrow, East will play Cherokee at 5pm at Frank Lorino Park. The winner gets to host Friday's Sub-state game against either Farragut or Maryville. Cherokee knocked out Science Hill yesterday, 6-1. The Morristown West baseball season came to an end yesterday at home against Sullivan South. The Trojans lost 6-3 and finish their season with a record of 22-10-1. Jefferson County was eliminated in a 8-0 loss at Science Hill.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008