Tennessee

Columbia Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm Charge

Case Involved an Aggravated Assault with a Shotgun

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Leslie Armstrong of Columbia, Tenn., faces up to 10 years in federal prison, up to a $250,000 fine and a period of supervised release at the end of his prison term after pleading guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.    » read more »

Clarksville Man Sentenced to 117 Months in Federal Prison

Sentencing Follows Guilty Plea in October of 2004

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Simone Royteze Myree, 24, of Clarksville, Tennessee was sentenced on March 9, 2005, to over 9 years in federal prison for violating multiple federal firearms laws and committing an armed robbery. U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Wiseman for the Middle Judicial District of Tennessee also placed Myree on 3 years supervised release that he must complete upon his release from federal prison. There is no parole in the federal prison system.    » read more »

U.S. Homeland Security Advocate Keystone Kops Booted Out of Knoxville Conference for Criticizing Private Security Lapses

Oak Ridge Nuclear Facility Home to Some of Wackenhut's Most Notable Security Lapses

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Protects USA's "Keystone Kops" were unceremoniously booted out of a labor management conference today in Knoxville for highlighting the alleged dangerous behavior of Wackenhut, a security company with major operations at the Oak Ridge nuclear facility. Dressed as bumbling "Keystone Kops," Protects USA supporters were attempting to counter the message of the two Wackenhut representatives at the conference. On October 26, 2004, activists in similar garb were arrested outside the Oak Ridge facility and subsequently released.    » read more »

TDEC Awards $2.8 Million In Recycling And Waste Reduction Grants

Funds Will Support 44 Community Waste Reduction Initiatives

Nashville, Tenn. – Governor Phil Bredesen and Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Betsy L. Child announced today that 18 waste reduction grants totaling $2,273,955 and 26 recycling equipment grants totaling $518,458 have been awarded for a wide range of projects across Tennessee.    » read more »

Security Investigation at Major U.S. Nuclear Weapons Facility in Tennessee

U.S. Department of Energy Inspector General's Office: 'Ongoing Law Enforcement Proceeding' at Y-12, Where Wackenhut is Security Provider

WASHINGTON, March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- There is an ongoing investigation involving the U.S. government's largest security provider, Wackenhut, at the Tennessee facility housing the nation's stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The Inspector General's Office of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) stated on February 18, 2005 that there is "an ongoing law enforcement proceeding" at the Y-12 nuclear weapons facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request about Wackenhut's training obligations and billing practices at the facility. The FOIA request was submitted in January by SEIU, the nation's largest security officers' union.    » read more »

Health and Human Services Commissioner Announces Tennessee to Join Medicaid Prescription Drug Pool

February 1, 2005 -- Concord, NH- Commissioner of Health and Human Services (DHHS) John A. Stephen today announced that the state of Tennessee has applied to join the Medicaid prescription drug purchasing pool, called the National Multi-State Pooling Initiative (NMPI). Tennessee is the most recent state to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to join the pool. The pooling arrangement is coordinated through the state's Medicaid pharmacy benefit manager, First Health Services.    » read more »

Identification Required for Birth and Death Certificates in Tennessee; New Security Safeguard to be Implemented February 15

Nashville, January 27, 2005 -- Effective February 15, 2005, anyone seeking a certified copy of a birth or death certificate from a Vital Records office must have either a signed and notarized application or appropriate identification. The preferred type of identification is a government issued identification card signed by the applicant. Without government issued identification, other forms of ID and/or affidavits may be acceptable.    » read more »

Tennessee Governor Bredesen Unveils Jobs Agenda for 2005

Package Includes Investment in Training, Infrastructure

January 26, 2005 -- Nashville - Governor Phil Bredesen today unveiled details of his 2005 jobs plan, a package that includes $20 million in new funding for workforce training and an expansion of Tennessee’s technological infrastructure.    » read more »

Tennessee Governor Bredesen Statement On Executive Order Establishing The Governor’s Task Force On The Health Care Safety Net

January 24, 2005 -- “Two weeks ago, when I announced we would move ahead with TennCare enrollment reductions, I noted that we would … as a state … need to revisit our health care safety net. Over the past decade, portions of it have atrophied in the shadow of a public health plan that has paid for everything, without limits. Now, it’s time for us to begin re-working those safety net muscles so we can provide at least some level of basic care to those who need it.    » read more »

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen Announces Appointment of General Sessions Judge J. Weber McCraw to 25th Judicial District

January 21, 2005 --Nashville – Governor Phil Bredesen today announced that Fayette County General Sessions Judge J. Weber McCraw will fill a vacancy in part one of the 25th Judicial District’s Circuit Court, created by the retirement of Jon Kerry Blackwood of Somerville. The 25th Judicial District Circuit Court covers Fayette, Hardeman, Lauderdale, McNairy and Tipton counties.    » read more »

State of Tennessee Launches Online Meth Information Clearinghouse

January 19, 2005 -- NASHVILLE — Governor Phil Bredesen today announced the launch of “MethFreeTennessee.org,” a new State web site designed to serve as a clearinghouse for information on the methamphetamine epidemic in Tennessee.    » read more »

Fund is Established for Children of TDOT Shooting Victim

TDOT Employees and others have called asking where to donate

January 18, 2005 -- Nashville, Tenn.-A fund has been established for the children of slain Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) worker Donna Renee Jordan at the request of her co-workers.    » read more »

State Proceeds With Tenncare Overhaul

January 10, 2005 -- NASHVILLE — Governor Phil Bredesen today announced TennCare changes are moving forward under a plan that stops short of returning to traditional Medicaid by preserving full coverage for children, and limiting benefits and reducing enrollment for adults.    » read more »