Sheriff Norman Dalton would like the citizens of Marshall County to beware of a scam taking place in the Marshall County area. The caller will advise you that they are from the Publishers Clearing House and that you have won a Mercedes or X amount of money and the money has been sent to the Bank of America and the Tennessee Highway Patrol will be delivering the vehicle. The caller will then advises you that you need to go to Walmart and purchase a Green Dot Money Pak in the amount of $XXX.00 to cover the taxes on the winnings. The caller will give you a check number and document number to pick up your check at the Bank of America. Once you purchase the Green Dot Money Pak they will ask you to read to them the number on the Money Pak. Next, they will tell you there has been a mistake and you need to go purchase a Gold Dot Money Pak in the same amount. This is definitely a scam. These calls are being made from a number from Jamaica. Once you read the caller the number off of the Money Paks, the amount on the Money Pak is in their hands. Do not fall for this; beware!

$50,000 contribution to sustain essential programs to train and place workers in Southern Middle Tennessee 

Lewisburg, Tennessee, Oct. 9, 2013 — Today, AT&T* announced a  $50,000 contribution to the South Central Tennessee Workforce Board (SCTWB) to sustain essential programs to provide for improvements in workforce skills through training, development, education and job creation based on employer demands, and resulting in productive citizens who can learn, work, and comfortably care for their families. 

The SCTWB serves under the leadership of the South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance, and represents private, public, and community based partners from the eight counties of Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Marshall, Maury, Perry and Wayne counties in southern middle Tennessee. 

“This contribution will be used to support the ongoing work of our Jobs for Tennessee Graduates program through the local career centers and high schools.  This initiative enhances workforce development, which supports employers and job seekers across our eight county region,” said Jan McKeel, Executive Director of SCTWB.  

“Providing technical training for citizens across the Southern Middle Tennessee is vitally important to preserving our communities and the way of life we all love,” said Senator Jim Tracy. 

The South Central Tennessee Workforce Board’s training programs align with AT&T’s Aspire initiative – one of the nation’s largest corporate commitments focused on college and career readiness –and is a reflection of AT&T’s continued efforts to improve local communities. 

AT&T is in midst of a major infrastructure investment initiative called Project Velocity IP to significantly enhance and expand its wired and wireless networks in Tennessee and across the country.  As of June of this year, AT&T has invested over $175 million in Tennessee which builds on top of nearly $1.4 billion dollars invested in Tennessee between 2010 and 2012 to meet growing consumer and business demand for wireless and broadband services.  Earlier this year, AT&T announced it is hiring for 200 positions across Tennessee to support Project VIP and to serve its customers. 

OCTOBER THROUGH DECEMBER WORST TIME FOR DEER-RELATED CRASHES 

NASHVILLE — Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Colonel Tracy Trott today announced that three people were killed in crashes involving deer in 2012. Colonel Trott cautions motorists to be watchful of deer during the fall and winter seasons, as an increase in deer-related crashes are likely during the months of October through December. 

In Tennessee, there were 5,911 deer-related crashes in 2012. That’s an increase of 4.2 percent from the 5,670 crashes involving deer the previous year. Of the 2012 figure, 5,601 were property damage, 307 were wrecks with injury, and three resulted in fatalities.   

“The chances of striking deer are considerably higher during hunting and mating season, especially in November. We want to urge drivers to be aware and cautious in areas where deer are populated, and most importantly, slow down,” Colonel Trott said. 

 THP also reports that between 2008 and 2012, 9.2 percent of deer-related crashes occurred on interstate highways. Additionally, since 2008, deer-related crashes in Tennessee have steadily increased by 13.6 percent.   

According to State Farm®, the nation’s leading auto insurer, there have been an estimated 1.22 million collisions between deer and vehicles in the U.S. between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013. That’s a 3.5 percent decline from a year ago.

In the event of a deer-related crash, move the vehicle as far off the road as possible. Motorists are also encouraged to dial *THP (*847) from an available cell phone for assistance. The call will be connected to the nearest THP Communications Center and the next available State Trooper will be dispatched to the location. 

The Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) suggest the following tips to help prevent deer-related crashes during peak mating and hunting seasons: 

Remember that mating season puts deer on the move and deer tend to move at dawn and dusk.

• Whenever you see deer cross the road, expect more to follow.  Many times, the second or third deer crossing becomes the one that motorists hit.
• Be attentive; drive defensively, constantly scanning the roadside, especially at daybreak and dusk.
• Do not swerve to avoid contact with deer. This could cause the vehicle to flip or veer into oncoming traffic, causing a more serious crash. Swerving also can confuse the deer as to where to run.
• When you spot a deer, slow down immediately.  Proceed slowly until you pass that point.  
• If you do collide with a deer, never approach the injured animal.  They are powerful and can cause bodily harm to a human.  Report any deer collision, even if the damage is minor.  

Tennessee law allows deer killed in a collision to be taken and used as food, as long as you contact the nearest TWRA regional office to report the accident within 48 hours. For a listing of TWRA regional office, visit the TWRA website at www.tnwildlife.org

LEWISBURG, Tenn. — At one time or another, just about everyone will need to use some kind of medicine. In order to avoid harm to yourself and others, Marshall Medical Center wants you to be aware of the proper way to dispose of outdated and unused prescription drugs. 

One of the best ways to be sure that medicines are safely disposed of is to take advantage of your community’s drug-take-back programs. Contact your city or county government’s household trash and recycling service to see if there is a medicine take-back program in your community and learn about any special rules regarding which medicines can be taken back. You can also check to see if your pharmacist is aware of any other medicine disposal programs in your area. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Web site also contains information about National Prescription Drug Take-Back Events. 

If there is no drug-take-back program in your area, most medicines can safely be disposed of in the household trash if you mix them with an unpalatable substance such as kitty litter or used coffee grounds. Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag before throwing it in the trash and remember to scratch off all information on the prescription label to make it unreadable. 

Certain medicines may be especially harmful and even lethal if used by someone other than the person to whom they have been prescribed. To prevent accidental ingestion by children, pets or anyone else, if no drug take-back program is available, check the label for specific disposal procedures. 

If you have questions about disposing of your medicines, you may contact the Federal Drug Administration by calling 1.888.463.6332 or at www.fda.gov/drugs/disposal.

State Unemployment Benefits Are Not Affected 

NASHVILLE – The Budget Control Act of 2011, also known as “sequestration,” requires budget reductions to many federal programs, including the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program. To meet the federal requirement for sequestration for fiscal year 2014, Tennessee must reduce all federal EUC benefits paid on or after October 5, 2013, by 4.4 percent. 

EUC claims that are mid-tier as of October 5, 2013, will continue at the same weekly amount until the current EUC tier ends. All new EUC claims and EUC claims that transition to a new tier as of the week ending October 5, 2013, or later, will be reduced by 4.4 percent. 

Approximately 20,000 Tennessee claimants currently receiving EUC or transitioning into EUC from Tennessee Unemployment Compensation program will be affected. Benefits received under the state’s unemployment compensation program, generally the first 26 weeks (maximum) of available benefits, will not be reduced. 

Claimants are being notified of the reduction during their weekly Internet or telephone certification.