On Tuesday, Calsonic Kansei North America announced their largest expansion in North America in the company’s history creating 1,200 new jobs across three locations in Middle Tennessee.  The company plans to invest $49.8 million at its Lewisburg facility adding 526 jobs over the next three years.  This expansion will also include a new 300,000 square foot warehouse facility.  CKNA will also invest $57.6 million at its Shelbyville facility.  Approximately 489 new jobs will be added in Shelbyville.  CKNA will also invest $2.1 million in Smyrna at its facility which is within the Nissan plant.  Approximately 183 new jobs will be created in Smyrna. Governor Bill Haslem was on hand for the announcement.

COLUMBIA, Tenn. — Maury Regional Medical Center (MRMC) recently introduced a new pet therapy program that brings animals and their handlers together with patients who may benefit from interaction with a furry friend. The medical center is working with Pet Partners^®, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improve people’s health and wellbeing through interactions with animals, to certify the pet teams who will serve as part of the medical center’s long-standing volunteer program. 

According to MRMC Volunteer Services Director Cindy Fox, the concept of a formal pet therapy program was first considered when the medical center adopted the Planetree model in 2011. Planetree focuses on providing patient-centered care in healing environments. Pet therapy has been shown to have positive effects on patients’ wellbeing. 

“Research has shown that our stress and anxiety levels can be reduced when pets are around. We hope this therapy program has a positive impact on our patients and visitors,” said Fox. 

Pets who are candidates for the therapy program are initially evaluated for their ability to follow basic commands and to verify that they are controllable, reliable and predictable. Those who meet the basic criteria undergo a formal evaluation to determine how the animal reacts to distractions, loud noises, meeting strangers, being petted and walking through crowds. Handlers must complete on-line training and pay the required fees. Once a team is certified through Pet Partners, the animal and handler go through the standard process of becoming volunteers at MRMC.

Four teams have completed the certification process and recently began visiting with patients. Dickson-Rine encourages pet owners to consider volunteering for pet therapy programs, such as the one now offered at MRMC. 

Staff members at MRMC will use the medical center’s pet therapy policy to assist the handlers in determining departments and patients that may benefit from a pet visit. Pet owners interested in learning more about the new program may call 931.380.4047.

The Lewisburg Police Department answered a call to the home of Mike Bass at 1426 St Ann Street in Lewisburg in the early morning hours on Sunday August 25^th. Mr. Bass had been attacked by Scotty Blackwell of Lewisburg sustaining several cuts to the upper torso, head, and neck area that were considered life threatening. 

At this time, the motive for the attack is still unclear. Mr. Bass and Mr. Blackwell were only acquaintances. 

33 year old Scotty Blackwell of Lewisburg was arrested on charges of Attempted Criminal Homicide and was taken the Marshall County Jail. He was given a bond of a $500,000 dollars on Tuesday, August 27^th. 

According to another source Mr. Bass has been released from the hospital. 

This is an active ongoing investigation. If you have information about this or any other crime in Lewisburg, please contact the Lewisburg Police Department at 359-3800 or call Crime Stoppers at 359-4867.

A Bedford County woman is charged with TennCare fraud.  

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of officers from the Bedford County Sheriff and Smyrna Police, today announced the arrest of Heather Dawn Deskins, 29, of Shelbyville.

 She is charged in a Bedford County indictment with two counts of TennCare fraud for fraudulently obtaining TennCare healthcare insurance benefits on two separate occasions, even though she was not eligible for the program.  The TennCare fraud charges could result in a two year sentence per charge, if convicted. 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 1,900 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.”

(COLUMBIA, Tenn. – Aug. 26, 2013) – – – Columbia State Community College announces the reaffirmation of accreditation through 2023 by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. 

Re-accreditation is a self-regulatory process for college and universities, which gives higher education institutions the opportunity to review current standards and maintain and improve academic quality.

During fall 2012, SACS representatives conducted a three-day on-site peer review to assess the college’s continued educational quality and effectiveness. As a part of the re-accreditation process, the committee examined data and conducted interviews in order to verify compliance with SACSCOC standards. In June 2013, the SACSCOC board of trustees voted to reaffirm the college’s accreditation. 

Earning the 10-year re-accreditation, the maximum time period allowed, preserves the ability for the college to receive federal funding, including student financial aid and grants. 

As part of the process, Columbia State developed a Quality Enhancement Plan, a standard component in the re-accreditation process. The QEP outlined a focused course of action that would address a well-defined topic related to enhancing student learning. 

The QEP is focused on writing as a means of improving academic achievement and success among first-year students. It includes the use of instructional strategies and writing activities that will help students learn to summarize, organize, analyze and reflect on course material. 

Columbia State Community College is accredited by SACSCOC to award Associate of Art, Associate of Science, Associate of Science in Teaching, Associate of Fine Arts in Music, and Associate of Applied Science degrees, as well as technical certificates. 

SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the southern states that serves as the common denominator of shared values and practices among the diverse institutions. The accreditation process is intended to assure the quality of higher education institutions and programs and to help those institutions and programs improve. For additional information on SACSCOC and the accreditation process, visit www.sacscoc.org