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.

The Tennessee Democratic Committee issued a statement Monday holding Washington Republicans responsible for the shutdown of the Federal government.  According to Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Roy Herron, a shutdown would threaten Tennessee jobs, endanger the state’s economy, and hurt senior citizens and the middle class.  

Herron’s statement and an attached factsheet say a shutdown could delay financial support for Tennessee small businesses, delay military pay and hurt military families, and affect senior citizen and veterans’ benefits. 

Although current Social Security benefit checks would still go out, new benefit applications would be delayed and services for seniors significantly curtailed.  The statement estimates a shutdown could put 28,000 Federal employees in Tennessee out of work.  22,156 service members in Tennessee would remain on duty, but pay would be delayed if a shutdown lasts more than 10 days.  

The fact sheet also notes that a shutdown of Head Start centers could affect over 17,300 Tennessee children.  The shutdown is rooted in Republican opposition to funding of the Obama administration’s “Affordable Care Act.” 

The Tennessee Highway Patrol has released more information on Monday’s fatal automobile accident which took place during the afternoon rush hour. The crash occurred shortly after five p.m. on US Route 431, north of the intersection with State Route 50. 37-year-old Roderick Maxwell, of Louisville, KY., was travelling south on 431 when a pick-up truck, operated by Emmanuelle Johnson, of Lewisburg, attempted to make a left turn into a driveway in front of Maxwell, who was killed in the collision.

Johnson was uninjured but cited by THP. Impairment was not listed as contributing to the accident and no criminal charges are pending. The THP and the Marshall County Sherriff’s Department closed the southbound lanes of 431 while investigating and clearing the scene. Trooper James Crump of THP District 7 investigated and filed the report.