Pulaski, Tenn. (June 28, 2013) — The Tennessee Technology Center at Pulaski will be renamed Tennessee College of Applied Technology as of July 1.

“While the name changes, the mission remains the same. The new name just more accurately reflects the post-secondary training provided,” said Tony Creecy, Director of the TCAT in Pulaski.

In addition, Creecy stated “our new name serves as a better indicator to the local community as well as business and industry that the technical programs offered at TCAT-Pulaski are indeed a viable training option that can lead to a successful career.”

The TCATs have always been excellent higher education institutions, offering post-secondary programs for workforce preparation. But the previous “center” title was too often misunderstood.

That led State Representative Harry Brooks and Senator Jim Tracy to co-sponsor a bill to change the name. After research into the best naming options, Tennessee College of Applied Technology was introduced as the best option to meet the needs of students in the region and the expectations of employers and industry leaders. The bill received unanimous support from the General Assembly, and was recently signed by Governor Bill Haslam.

“The education programs and training opportunities provided by these schools have been key to workforce and economic development in Tennessee,” said Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor John Morgan. “They aid in recruiting industry and development initiatives, and this new name better represents the quality programs offered.”

The TCATs play a major role in the workforce development from Memphis to Elizabethton providing workforce training in industrial, allied health, business, and personal service programs training over 30,000 students yearly. 

The institutions have a statewide completion rate of 79 percent and a placement rate of 84 percent, well above the national average. The schools have received nationwide attention for their success rates, including comments by Bill and Melinda Gates and media coverage in the Chronicle of Higher Education, Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio, and others.

James King, TBR’s vice chancellor for TCATs, attributes the outstanding performance to institutions doing a great job in their communities and remaining focused on their mission.

“The renamed 27 campuses will aid in recruiting industry and economic development initiatives. We believe changing our name will aid in students choosing public institutions rather than private and proprietary institutions lessening debt burdens for the same programs we offer.” 

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology – Pulaski offers training in a number of technical programs such as Advanced Manufacturing, Business Technology, Call Center Specialist, Computer Operating Systems and Networking, Dental Assisting, HVACR, Industrial Electricity, Industrial Maintenance, Medical Coding, Phlebotomy, Practical Nursing, Residential/Commercial Electrician and Green Technology, Residential Construction Technology, Residential/Commercial Wiring and Plumbing, and Welding. For additional information regarding enrollment and financial aid, contact the College at (931) 424-4014.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Tony Creecy

Director, TCAT-Pulaski

(931) 424-4014, ext. 2426

Shelbyville, TN- The Senate voted to pass changes to the U.S. immigration law on Thursday. Jim Tracy, a candidate for Congress in the 4^th Congressional District in Tennessee, urged Congress to take a hard look at border security and gain input from the border states. 

“It is my hope that the House will reject this bill and focus instead on the most pressing problem in immigration and that is securing the border while rejecting amnesty. The attempts in this bill to deal with border security don’t pass muster because they leave certification of border security up to Congress or a Congressionally appointed group.  That’s asking the fox to guard the henhouse and it’s bound to fail,” said Tracy. 

The bill passed with a 68-32 vote and is now headed to the House of Representatives. 

Jim Tracy stated, “Certification of border security has to come from outside of Washington to have any credibility.  This means including the border states in the process, whether it is the border state governors, or legislatures, or both, but it definitely needs to come from outside Washington and the federal government. As I’ve already indicated, we should not grant the illegals currently here a new legal status until we secure the border.  There is no point in bailing out the boat until you put the plug in. I believe the current bill needs to be broken up.  We should first pass a border security bill with real, border state certification. The voters across the 4^th district tell me they are downright angry that this bill is being loaded up with pork, and rightfully so.  Most voters are sick of pork in general but they especially hate it when Congress loads up critically important legislation like this.” 

Jim Tracy was the prime sponsor of E-Verify legislation in the Tennessee State Senate in 2011. Senate Bill 1669 became Public Chapter 436 passing the Tennessee House and Senate by overwhelming majorities. 

Emerson “Ike” Willis of Cornersville died as a result of a two vehicle crash in Lawrence County Monday afternoon. According to the accident report from THP, Mr. Willis, age 80, was driving his 2007 Harley Davidson north on US HWY 43 in the right hand lane. As the second driver, Richard L. Cooper, Jr. was passing Mr. Willis in the left-hand lane of Hwy 43, the motorcycle driven by Willis crossed into the passing lane striking the front quarter panel of the Chevy Blazer. Mr. Willis was thrown off the motorcycle. He was transported by helicopter to the hospital and later died from the results of the crash. Speed was not a factor in this accident and no citations were issued.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation today removed a man wanted on child rape charges out of Williamson County from the state’s Top Ten Most Wanted list today after he was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in California. 

U.S. Marshalls captured Wendell Lee Washam, 82, at the LAX Airport yesterday afternoon after he arrived on a flight from Australia. He is being held in Los Angeles awaiting extradition. 

Washam was wanted by the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office for failure to report for trial, two counts of rape of a child, solicitation to commit rape of a child, aggravated sexual battery, solicitation of sexual exploitation of a minor and sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means of a minor.  He was scheduled to appear in court on December 3, 2012 to enter a guilty plea in the case and failed to appear and was added to the Top Ten Most Wanted list later that month.

 

LEWISBURG, Tenn. — The arrival of summer always brings more people outside for longer periods of time and that means more skin is exposed to the sun. Marshall Medical Center (MMC) joins the nation’s emergency physicians in reminding the public about the dangers associated with sun damage. 

“Most of us want to get some sun in the summertime,” said Dr. Andrew Sama, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians. “But emergency physicians often see the pain of patients who get too much sun. If you don’t protect your skin, the sun’s ultraviolet rays can damage it in 15 minutes.” 

The obvious major risk from sun damage is skin cancer. Melanoma is currently the third most common skin cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and it can be deadly.  

Individuals at highest risk for skin cancer include those with: 

• A history of sunburn
• Lighter, natural skin color and/or light colored hair (blonde or red)
• Personal or family history of skin cancer
• Numerous moles on the skin
• A suppressed immune system 

According to Dr. Thomas Mitchell, MMC emergency department medical director, sunburn dangers in addition to skin cancer include dehydration, eye damage, second-degree burns, skin infections and, rarely, shock from massive fluid loss. The full extent of skin damage may not be known until several hours after exposure. 

“The effects of sunburn are often felt in the hours and days after sun exposure, but sun damage can also haunt you years from now in the form of skin cancer,” said Dr. Mitchell. “If you notice any unusual discoloration on your skin or anything out of the ordinary, it’s best to have it checked out by a physician.” 

People of every color should protect their skin during all types of weather. Even if it is cool and cloudy, the sun’s ultraviolet rays can damage your skin. To protect against sunburn: 

• Seek shade, especially during midday hours when the sun is strongest
• Wear sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection and with sun protective factor (SPF) of at least 15 or higher. Use a higher SPF when near the water or at higher elevations.
• Reapply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours, especially after swimming and sweating.
• Wear sunglasses with UV ray protection to protect your eyes.
• Wear a hat to protect your head.
• Cover up with clothing to protect exposed skin.
• Teach children how to protect their skin. Especially protect the sensitive skin of babies younger than 6 months.