Numerous sources are reporting that at least one person was severely injured in an explosion late Monday morning in Shelbyville.  

Local police evacuated an area within one-half mile of a bio-diesel tank which exploded and burned at the Southern Energy facility on Lane Parkway.  News reports indicate that one victim has been transported to Vanderbilt via Life-Flight after the explosion which occurred at about 10:30. 

Bedford County Sherriff Randall Boyce told media outlets that 69 inmates had been moved out of the County Workhouse and that students at Thomas Magnet School were evacuated and taken by bus to Harris Middle School as a precautionary measure.  Other businesses in the area were also evacuated, including the City Courthouse and the County Animal Control building. 

The explosion created a black plume of smoke that rose, according to some reports, as high as forty feet in the air. Two other people are reported to be injured.  Power and traffic signals in the area have been disrupted.

Follow Up:

Authorities in Bedford County continue to investigate the explosion and subsequent fire in Shelbyville Monday morning.  One man, apparently the driver of a tanker truck that was unloading a solvent, was transported to Vanderbilt Medical Center by Life-Flight with serious burns over fifty percent of his body.  The victim has not yet been identified.  Despite chaotic reports from the scene Monday, no other injuries were reported. 

Local officials had evacuated the area within one-half mile of the explosion at the Southern Energy facility on Lane Parkway.  Businesses, schools, and government offices in the area reopened Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning.  Traffic control and electric service to the area, except in the immediate vicinity of the explosion, have been restored.  

Gates along a Duck River tributary had been closed to prevent chemicals and water, used to extinguish the flames, from entering the watershed.  Personnel from neighboring Rutherford County assisted in the evacuation and later re-housing of animals at the Bedford County Animal Control building.

 

NASHVILLE, TN, NOVEMBER 14, 2013— The American Red Cross Nashville Area Chapter has partnered with training experts at Nashville K-9 to offer a Dog First Aid Course for dog owners. 

“Your pet relies on you to provide daily care, love and affection and as a responsible pet owner you should also be prepared to care for your pet in an emergency or in the event of an accident,” said Joe Simpson, State Operations Manager for Preparedness Health & Safety Services. “Whether your pet becomes ill or is injured, or needs help in a disaster, the Red Cross can help.” 

American Red Cross Dog First Aid teaches vital safety skills, including how to: 

• Administer medications

• Recognize an emergency

• Perform CPR, First Aid and choking skills

• Treat common emergencies such as cuts, scrapes and bleeding

• Build a pet first aid kit

• And much more    

You can enroll today in American Red Cross Dog First Aid.  The next course will be offered: 

Date: Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Time: 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Cost: $50
Location: American Red Cross Nashville Area Chapter Auditorium
2201 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203 

Participants must pre-register for the course. To sign up, please contact Nashville K-9 at (615) 438-2602 or visit www.NashvilleK9.com.

NASHVILLE, TN – A Rutherford County man is charged with TennCare fraud in connection with selling prescription drugs which were paid for by TennCare, the state’s Medicaid program. 

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Mark W. Morrow, 21, of Smyrna, after a joint investigation with the Smyrna Police Department. 

Morrow is charged with two counts of TennCare fraud for using the healthcare insurance program’s benefits on two separate occasions to obtain a prescription for Suboxone, while planning to unlawfully sell a portion of the prescriptions.  Suboxone is an opiate which is used to treat heroin addiction because it does not have addicting qualities. 

“We are winning the battle to stop prescription drug fraud in the TennCare program,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said.  “People are learning it’s not only illegal, conviction can lead to jail time and other consequences.” 

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison.  District Attorney General William C. Whitesell, Jr.  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.”

Growth trend not slowing down; bank sees rise in most quarter and annual markers 

COLUMBIA, Tenn.  (November 6, 2013) – First Farmers and Merchants Corporation, the parent of First Farmers & Merchants Bank, has released third quarter 2013 financial results.

As of September 30, 2013, the consolidated total assets of First Farmers and Merchants Corporation were $1.08 billion, an increase of 2.8% from last year’s third quarter total of $1.05 billion.  Additionally, net income increased 17.8% over third quarter 2012, at $7.5 million, deposits increased $48.5 million, or 5.5%, and loans were up $48.6 million over the same period in 2012.

Year-to-date, assets are down 1.1% or $12 million, but deposits are up 0.3%, or $3.2 million, and loans are up 4.3%, or $24.6 million.

“First Farmers continues to deliver strong numbers for both the year and quarter,” said  T. Randy Stevens, chairman and chief executive officer, First Farmers & Merchants Bank.  “We believe our growth comes from being in tune with the marketplace and working hard to meet the banking needs of our customers.  Our dedication to customer service continues to be a key factor in our success. The outstanding efforts of our employees should help us continue to grow and succeed in each of our middle Tennessee markets.”

First Farmers & Merchants Bank is one of the largest independent community banks in Middle Tennessee, with eighteen banking offices in seven Middle Tennessee counties.  For more information, visit www.myfirstfarmers.com.

NASHVILLE- The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s case against the former Fire Chief of the Chapel Hill Fire Department has resulted in an indictment and subsequent arrest this week. 

Kenneth Runk, 36, of Chapel Hill, Tenn. was indicted and arrested Wednesday on one count of theft, one count of attempted theft and one count of official misconduct. In July, the District Attorney General requested TBI investigation allegations of theft from Chapel Hill city officials. Between November 2012 and March 2013, Runk took approximately $3,100. He was fired from his position after he admitted to stealing fuel and forging fake invoices for his personal gain. 

Runk was booked into the Marshall County Jail on $15,000 bond.