Chapel Hill Town Administrator, Mike Hatten, who was recently arrested and charged with a felony and a misdemeanor, was terminated as Town Administrator at the Monday evening meeting of the Board of Mayor and Alderman. He has been on paid administrative leave since the arrest. Mayor Carl Cooper was voted in to act as interim Administrator. According to a Town representative the job will be posted at a later date. No further details were given about the time line or the qualifications needed to apply for the open position.

COLUMBIA, Tenn.— Maury Regional Medical Center (MRMC) has been named among the 100 Hospitals with Great Orthopedic Programs by Becker’s Hospital Review for 2013. 

“We have an outstanding group of orthopedic physicians and staff members who provide exceptional care for our patients,” said CEO Alan Watson. “Our performance, utilizing best-practice treatment measures, has resulted in Maury Regional joining an impressive group of hospitals across the nation recognized on this list.” 

Becker’s Hospital Review recognized orthopedic programs that had received considerable recognition for quality based on patient outcomes. MRMC was named to the list based on recognition received for quality of care and patient outcomes for joint replacement patients. Also noted in the recognition was average length of stay for all orthopedic procedures and complication rates below the national average. 

MRMC has 10 orthopedic surgeons on the medical staff, providing a full range of orthopedic services from minimally invasive procedures to total joint replacement surgeries. These surgeons have been among the first in the state to conduct innovative procedures such as anterior hip replacement, the Delta reverse shoulder implant and gender-specific knee replacement. 

Based on quality of care and clinical outcomes, MRMC has attained Joint Commission certification for knee and hip replacement and been designated as a Blue Distinction Center+ by BlueCross Blue Shield of Tennessee for knee and hip replacement. The medical center also has a program in place to identify those at risk for fractures associated with osteoporosis in an effort to further protect patients. 

For more information about orthopedic care at MRMC, visit mauryregional.com. For additional information regarding this award, visit beckershospitalreview.com.

On Friday, December 27, 2013, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office recieved a referral from the Department of Child Services of a possible sexual assalt that had occured in Marshall County on December 20th. An investigation was conducted by Detective Bob Johnson and Tony Nichols, as a result of the investiigation, 43 year old Michael Keith Hatten of 1611 Christie Ave, Chapel Hill, was arrested on charges of sexual battery by an authority figure and contributing to the delinquance of a 16 year old minor. Mr. Hatten was arrested and tranported to the Marshall County Jail. Mr. Hatten’s Bond is set at $8,500.00 and his court date is set for January 14, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. in General Sessions Court.

NASHVILLE, TN – A Marshall County woman is charged with TennCare fraud after receiving healthcare insurance benefits through the state’s Medicaid managed care program, even though she was not eligible for benefits. 

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the charges against Gena Leigh Garton, 33, of Chapel Hill. She is charged with TennCare fraud and theft of services. Marshall County Sheriff’s Officers made the arrest. 

The charge against Garton accuses her of receiving TennCare benefits for a year by fraudulently failing to disclose employment income to the state which would have made her ineligible for TennCare benefits.  

The TennCare fraud charge carries up to a two-year sentence, and the theft of services charge could result in a sentence of up to 4 years. District Attorney General Robert Carter 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.

 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.”

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is releasing the identity and a photo of the man whose body was found early Christmas morning on Interstate-40 in Roane County. 

 THP Criminal Investigators have identified the man as Brian William Taylor of Heath Springs, South Carolina.  Taylor is described as a white a male, 42 years of age, wearing blue jeans, a blue and white checked flannel type shirt, and tan work boots.  The Tennessee Highway Patrol’s Criminal Investigation Division is investigating every possible scenario, including foul play. 

 On December 25 at 2:29 a.m., THP dispatchers received a call that a body of a white male was found on the eastbound lanes of I-40 at mile marker 364.  The preliminary investigation indicated the man either jumped or fell from a moving vehicle and his body was then struck by at least one other vehicle. 

 Citizens with any knowledge of Mr. Taylor, or who have any information that may assist with this investigation, are urged to contact the Tennessee Highway Patrol Knoxville District Headquarters at 865-594-5800. 

This incident remains under investigation. As additional information is received, it will be released to the media.   

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is to ensure that our state is a safe, secure place in which to live, work and travel; enforce the law with integrity; and provide customer-focused services professionally and efficiently.