Author: Morgan Nicole Veysey

Middle Tennessee Man Charged in Million-Dollar Investment Fraud Scheme

Morgan Nicole Veysey

A Middle Tennessee man was charged in a million dollar investment scheme aimed to defraud unsuspecting investors, the Department of Justice said in a recent press release.

The Hendersonville man who also lived in Gallatin – known as Gregory Michael Vogel and Gregory Michael Schneider – was charged on eight counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering in relation to an investment scheme. 

According to the statement, Vogel was arrested Wednesday morning by federal agents after a join investigation by the IRS-Criminal Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service. 

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Two-Year Drug Investigation Results in 39 Indictments Across Multiple States

Morgan Nicole Veysey

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) announced 39 indictments were made in an ongoing drug investigation. The statement said undercover officers had followed a violent drug trafficking organization with ties to at least three states. 

“This operation is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when agencies work together,” said TBI Director David Rausch. “These dangerous drugs and the violence fueled by those dealing them is having a devastating impact on Knoxville and other areas in East Tennessee. That’s why we have a lot more work to do and will continue to target drug traffickers in our state.”

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Selmer Man, Already a Felon, Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal Prison

Morgan Nicole Veysey

The U.S. Attorney’s office for the Western District of Tennessee announced recently that Revosea Richardson was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for the intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine. Richardson, who is a Selmer, Tennessee resident, was also found guilty of “conspiring with others to distribute” and being in possession of a firearm as a felon.

According to information presented in court, Richardson was taken into custody when he admitted to an officer during a traffic stop that he had outstanding warrants.

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Tennessee Secretary of State Hargett: Watch Out for Mailers Claiming Business Owners Must Obtain a ‘Tennessee Certificate of Existence’

Morgan Nicole Veysey

The Tennessee Secretary of State, Tre Hargett, warned businesses about a recently surfaced scam. Businesses have begun receiving ‘deceptive mailers’ from a company under two names: Tennessee Certificate Service and TN Certificate of Existence Filing Company.

“Our Division of Business and Charitable Organizations and I personally have heard of multiple complaints from business owners across Tennessee about these misleading mailers. We have seen scams like this before, with similar deceptive language that implies that businesses must have a Certificate of Existence to complete its formation or to fully operate in the state,” said Secretary Hargett. “This is not the case. Unfortunately, businesses who order a Certificate of Existence through these scammers may be paying an exorbitant amount for something that is totally unnecessary or would only cost $20 through our office.”

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Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Warns Tennesseans of Identity Theft

Morgan Nicole Veysey
silhouette of person with hoodie on

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) warned Tennesseans of identity theft during their Identity Theft Awareness Week. The week (Jan. 31 – Feb. 4, 2022) will include events to help spread awareness on the various forms of online theft, and how to protect personal information. 

According to the statement, the Federal Trade Commission’s Sentinel Network identified over 15,000 instances of identity theft across Tennessee in 2021.

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Electrolux Springfield Campus Hosts Job Fair to Fill More than 200 Positions

Morgan Nicole Veysey

The Electrolux company is hosting a job fair in Springfield, Tennessee on January 29, from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. In a release shared with The Tennessee Star, it listed multiple incentives for joining the company, including starting pay up to $21 an hour, up to a $2,000 sign-on bonus, full benefits on day one and room to advance within the company. The fair will be held at 866 Bill Jones Industrial Drive, Springfield TN.

The statement included the company would be “modernizing our 48-year-old plant by investing more than $250 million to expand production and manufacture amazing new cooking products.”

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Two Felons Guilty of Possession of Firearms

Morgan Nicole Veysey

The United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee announced two men previously convicted of felonies entered guilty pleas for crimes involving the illegal possession of firearms they were not allowed to have due to their previous convictions. John Davidson Long of Jackson was sentenced to ten years in federal prison. Demitrious Davis of Memphis, meanwhile, pled guilty but not has yet received sentencing.

According to prosecutors, Jackson law enforcement officers observed multiple members of the Vice Lord gang gather in the Parkway East Apartment Complex at Carver Cove in Jackson, Tennessee. “While monitoring the cameras, Long was observed standing outside of a car with a black handgun protruding from his waistband.” Since Long is a convicted felon, it is illegal for him to possess a firearm.

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Tennessee Department of Education Announces $3.5 Billion Federal Taxpayer-Funded Relief Approved for All Counties Through 2024

Morgan Nicole Veysey

The Tennessee Department of Education announced the approval of all 147 school districts on their required ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) plans. Through ESSER, the schools have more than $3.5 billion through federal COVID-19 relief funding to benefit K-12 public school students in their districts. Following the U.S. Department of Education guidelines, all districts were “required to develop plans that outlined their local spending strategies for their portion of the historic amount of federal funding.”

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Tennessee Department of Transportation Announces Construction on SR 155/Briley Parkway

Morgan Nicole Veysey

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced construction would begin Wednesday, January 26 to repair a section of SR 155/Briley Parkway at mile marker 14 near Gallatin Pike. Alternating lane closures will be conducted while the work takes place from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. each day, depending on the weather. 

The project is expected to last five days; the Rogers Group will begin milling in the fast lane and work their way across all five lanes. Motorists are advised to plan for extra travel time and slow down while in a work zone.

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Memphis Carjacker Sentenced to 8 Years in Federal Prison

Morgan Nicole Veysey

A man from Memphis, Tennessee was sentenced to 8 years in federal prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Tennessee announced on Tuesday. Kristopher Harris was sentenced to a total of 8 years plus one month to be served in a federal facility, followed by three years of supervised release.

According to information provided during court, in July of 2019, the victim of the carjacking was sitting in his car at Memphis-area gas station when Harris and his co-defendant, Kalonji Warren drove Warren’s Jeep alongside the victim’s vehicle. Harris then pointed a handgun at the victim and fired a single shot into the front passenger side window.

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Tennessee Law Enforcement Veteran Chip Kain Will Serve in Dual Role as Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy Exec. Dir. and Exec. Sec. of the Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission

Morgan Nicole Veysey

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) announced this week the appointment of law enforcement veteran leader William “Chip” Kain to serve in a dual role as the new executive director of the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy (TLETA) and as the new executive secretary of the Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission (POST).

“For over 50 years, TLETA has provided training that has been critical to the success of thousands of Tennessee law enforcement officers and the millions of Tennesseans they serve and protect,” said TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence. “Through an extensive nationwide search, Chip distinguished himself from the many qualified candidates with his experience, expertise, and customer-focused vision. I am confident that he will help lead TLETA into another 50 successful years because of his passion for training law enforcement officers and his proven commitment to serving Tennessee.”

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Tennessee Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Child Sexual Exploitation Crimes

Morgan Nicole Veysey

The Tennessee Department of Justice announced this week a Minor Hill, Tennessee man was sentenced to 35 years in prison for “crimes related to the production of child pornography.” Joshua Marc Hendon and his wife Lori Hendon were indicted on “charges of conspiracy to produce child pornography, nine counts of production of child pornography, and possession of child pornography” in October 2017.

“Protecting innocent children from sexual predators remains one of our highest priorities,” said U.S. Attorney Wildasin. “I commend our law enforcement partners and prosecutors who work diligently to identify these predators and bring them to justice so that they no longer have the opportunity to exploit any child again.”

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Vanderbilt Recruits Children to Study Allergic Reaction to COVID Vaccine

Morgan Nicole Veysey

Vanderbilt University Medical Center are actively recruiting children from 5-17 years old in order to study possible allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer (Pfizer-BioNTech) and Moderna.

“It’s important to study children, too,” said Elizabeth Phillips, MD, the principal investigator of the study, who is a professor of Medicine and Pharmacology and the John A. Oates Chair in Clinical Research at VUMC.

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Tennessee Department of Human Services Announces $122 Million Investment in ‘Family First Community Grants’

Morgan Nicole Veysey

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) announced Monday that $122 million in taxpayer money will be used to fund “Family First Community Grants.” The grants are available to “public and private organizations dedicated to helping families overcome economic, social and developmental vulnerabilities.”

“We’re here to ensure that all state residents have an opportunity to reach their full potential as contributing members of our community,” said TDHS Commissioner Clarence H. Carter. “For far too long government programs have focused on outputs, rather than the outcomes of the lives of those served. We aim to change the way vulnerable Tennesseans are served by partnering with public and private organizations who recognize public support should be a mile marker in a life’s journey, not a destination unto itself.”

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Smyrna, Tennessee Man Allegedly Used Paycheck Protection Program Fraud Gains to Buy a Maserati Sports Car, Semi-Trailer Truck, and More

Morgan Nicole Veysey
several $100 bills

The Department of Justice announced this week a man from Smyrna, Tennessee was charged for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud. Shawn Palmer, who is the sole owner of Palmers Transportation, Inc. was charged with a criminal information which alleges he applied for and received a PPP loan of $514,370.

According to the charging document, in June of 2020 Palmer sent documents to an individual who assisted him to apply for a PPP loan. The documents were then sent to Kabbage, Inc. which was “a lender approved by the Small Business Administration to provide funds under the program which was designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

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Judge Orders Nashville Metro Public Schools to Pay Student Sex Assault Victim $75,000

Morgan Nicole Veysey

Metro Nashville Schools must pay a former student $75,000, Judge Aleta A. Trauger ordered recently. The court’s decision stems from a 2017 lawsuit filed by the mother of a then-15 year old girl, referred to as “S.C.,” who was allegedly raped at Hunters Lane High School by a fellow student. The assault was video recorded and then disseminated.

Judged Trauger wrote that “the video – which was, by any reasonable definition, child pornography – spread quickly, both between S.C.’s peers and on third-party websites.”

S.C. did not return to campus after the assault, court documents note, and while she was considered a ‘homebound’ student, “she had been harassed by students seeking to discourage her participation in MNPS’s investigation into the events.” She and her family received multiple threats.

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Former Tennessee Clinic Owner Sentenced for Opioid Distribution

Morgan Nicole Veysey
Close up of white pills

The Department of Justice announced last week a former Tennessee clinic owner was sentenced for opioid distribution. Mark Daniel Allen, who now lives in Venice, Florida, was sentenced to 168 months in prison and $700 in special assessments, “followed by three years of supervised released.”

According to court documents, Allen was found guilty on six counts of “unlawfully distributing controlled substances” and one count of “maintaining a drug-involved premises after a three-day trial” which started September 1, 2021. Evidence at the trial showed Allen unlawfully prescribed 15,000 opioid pills to three women “with whom he had sexual relationships,” and to a male patient who later passed away.

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Tennessee State Rep Files Resolution That Says an AP Article That Accuses the U.S. Military of a ‘Culture of Racism’ Is False

Morgan Nicole Veysey
Bud Husley

A new resolution was introduced in the Tennessee General Assembly this week to claim an Associated Press (AP) article on racism in the U.S. Military as untrue. Representative Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport) sponsored the resolution, which was explained as “Expresses sense of General Assembly that May 2021 Associated Press article alleging “deep-seated racism” and “culture of discrimination” in U.S. military is untrue.”

The resolution claimed the authors of the article did not use proper statistics in their study, and instead “of evidencing a culture of racism, this data, provided by the military, actually makes the opposite case that racism in the U.S. military is uncommon and not a largescale problem.”

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Tennessee Department of Education Received Over 1,300 Public Comments Submitted on Potential School Funding

Morgan Nicole Veysey

The Tennessee Department of Education announced over 1,300 public comments have been collected on a potential new school funding formula. The department made the statements available to the public and can be seen here. The statement said comments came from “hundreds of parents, educators, superintendents, elected officials, business and community leaders, and citizens from across the state.”

“Tennesseans recognize what a historic moment in time this is for education in our state, and I want to thank those who submitted public comments as part of our engagement process on a potential new funding formula for Tennessee’s public schools,” Commissioner Penny Schwinn said.“As has been shared in subcommittee meetings, at town halls, on social media, and at local meetings, a new public education funding formula for Tennessee must be centered around our students so that we can ensure our children can thrive in the classroom and be successful after high school.”  

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3M Set to Expand Manufacturing Operations in East Tennessee, Invest $470 Million

Morgan Nicole Veysey

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD), and 3M Company announced this week the investment of approximately $470 million to expand manufacturing operations in East Tennessee. 3M’s expansion is expected to add around 600 new jobs by 2025.

Governor Lee said, “3M’s decision to expand in Tennessee is a testament to our state’s pro-business climate and skilled workforce. The creation of nearly 600 new jobs in Anderson County will positively impact this community for years to come, and we thank 3M for their investment in our state.”

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Sparta Woman Pleads Guilty to Concealing Material for a Terrorist Organization

Morgan Nicole Veysey

A woman from Sparta, Tennessee pled guilty to “Concealment of Material Support and Resources Intended to be Provided to a Foreign Terrorist Organization,” U.S. Attorney Mark H. Wildasin for the Middle District of Tennessee announced in a Tuesday statement.  Georgianna A.M. Giampietro was indicted by a federal grand jury in August of 2019 after she was charged with “attempting to provide material support to a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.”

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Tennessee Allocated Over $300 Million over Five Years for Bridge Repairs and Improvements

Morgan Nicole Veysey

Tennessee is set to receive over $300 million for bridge improvements and repairs, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced Friday. The allocation of taxpayer funding is a part of a $27 billion initiative dubbed the Bridge Replacement, Rehabilitation, Preservation, Protection, and Construction Program (Bridge Formula Program) – which, in turn, is part of the $2 trillion infrastructure package passed by Congress and signed by President Biden in mid-November 2021.

DOT said Tennessee has 881 bridges and over 270 miles of highway in poor condition. According to the DOT, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Tennessee said “the American Society of Civil Engineers gave Tennessee a C on its infrastructure report card.” In all, the Volunteer State will receive $302,092,740 over the five years.

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Senator Bill Hagerty Tours Lipman Brothers Warehouse and Discusses Supply Chain Shortages

Morgan Nicole Veysey

NASHVILLE, Tennessee— Senator Bill Hagerty toured the Lipman warehouse Tuesday morning. Haggerty and his team walked with CEO Robert Lipman and COO Lowell Goldman through a small tour, where Lipman and Hagerty discussed the problems the Lipman company had been facing with supply chain shortages. 

“This is another great example of wonderful Tennessee entrepreneurs that have thrived in an environment that’s very challenging,” Hagerty said. “But Robert Lipman, the proprietor here, told me how hard it is to get the workforce that he needs, the difficulties that he’s had with the supply chain; the fact that glass from China is a major bottleneck now, for what he’s trying to do right here.

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State Launches $1 Million Grant Program for Tennessee Volunteer Fire Departments for the Purchase of Equipment

Morgan Nicole Veysey

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) announced Tuesday that a total of $1 million in grants will be made available to the over 500 volunteer fire departments across the state for the purchase of firefighting equipment. The TDCI and Tennessee State Fire Marshall’s Office (SFMO) partnered to make the grants available through the Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant Program.

“We are grateful for the leadership of Governor Bill Lee and the General Assembly who increased the amount of funding to $1 million in order to help provide more support to Tennessee volunteer departments and their communities,” said Tennessee State Fire Marshal and TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence. “This program supports Governor Lee’s vision of strengthening Tennessee’s rural communities by providing more resources for our volunteer fire departments so that can help save lives and protect property.”

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Twelve Tennessee Counties Qualify for Federal Recovery Assistance from December Tornadoes

Morgan Nicole Veysey
pieces of crushed metal in front of someone's house after tornado

Governor Bill Lee’s office announced Friday that the Biden administration has qualified twelve counties to receive Major Disaster Declaration relief after a tornado-producing storm front tore through the state in early December. 

“I appreciate the hard recovery work we’ve already accomplished with our local, state, and federal partners,” Governor Lee said. “We will continue working to make sure Tennesseans have every resource necessary for a full, swift recovery.”

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Knoxville Man Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding COVID-19 Economic Relief Programs

Morgan Nicole Veysey

The Department of Justice announced this week a Knoxville, Tennessee man was arrested for defrauding COVID-19 economic relief programs. James Waylon Howell pled guilty to “engaging in more than $150,000 in fraud related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and to committing money laundering.” He was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

“This prosecution highlights the Department of Justice’s commitment to aggressively prosecute those who have defrauded these important programs enacted to provide economic relief to those who have suffered financially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said United States Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III.  “Fortunately, the quick and capable work of our federal partners permitted the recovery of a substantial amount of stolen funds.”

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Law Filed to Make the Assault of a Sports Official a Class E Felony

Morgan Nicole Veysey
Brandon Ogles

A new bill was filed this week that would make assaulting a sports official while they’re officiating a Class E Felony. Sponsored by Representative Brandon Ogles (R-Franklin), the bill would also make the assault a Class A Misdemeanor, depending on the nature of the assault. 

The bill stated:

A person commits assault against a sports official who: (1) Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to a sports official while the official is officiating a sporting event; (2) Intentionally or knowingly causes a sports official, while the official is officiating a sporting event, to reasonably fear imminent bodily injury; or (3) Intentionally or knowingly causes physical contact with a sports official while the official is officiating a sporting event and a reasonable person would regard the contact as extremely offensive or provocative.

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Army Corps of Engineers to Study Trace Creek in Humphreys County

Morgan Nicole Veysey

The United States Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District announced this week they would study Trace Creek in Humphreys County, Tennessee. This is the same creek that flooded in Waverly, Tennessee in August of 2021. 

The team will “look at site-specific data on obstructions to flood flows, flood formation, and timing; flood depths, stages, or floodwater velocities; the extent, duration, and frequency of flooding; information on natural and cultural flood plain resources; and flood loss potentials before and after the use of flood plain management measures.”

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New REI Distribution Center to Bring Nearly 300 Jobs to Lebanon

Morgan Nicole Veysey

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, the Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD), and REI Co-op officials announced this week that REI will establish a new distribution center in Lebanon, Tennessee. The new location will create over 280 jobs and will serve as REI’s fourth distribution center in the country.

Governor Lee said,

REI is a respected brand that has been trusted by outdoor enthusiasts for over 80 years, and I’m proud the company has chosen Tennessee for its newest distribution center. Our state’s central location and unmatched quality of life make it the ideal destination for a company so committed to outdoor recreation, and I thank REI for its commitment and job creation in Lebanon.

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New Bill Introduced Classifies Weaponizing Finances as Domestic Violence

Morgan Nicole Veysey

A new bill proposed this week would classify weaponizing finances as domestic assault. It would be an amendment of the current Tennessee Code Annotated Title 36, Chapter 3, Part 6, relative to domestic abuse. Senator Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga) sponsored the bill. 

The bill, if approved, would add to the current definition of domestic violence.

“Abuse” means inflicting, or attempting to inflict, physical injury on an adult or minor by other than accidental means; placing an adult or minor in fear of physical harm; physical restraint; malicious damage to the personal property of the abused party, including inflicting, or attempting to inflict, physical injury on any animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held by an adult or minor; placing an adult or minor in fear of physical harm to any animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held by the adult or minor; or controlling, regulating, monitoring, or depleting the finances, economic resources, credit, or ability to work or pursue education or job training of an adult.

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CDC Awards Vanderbilt University $10.7 Million Grant to Study COVID Vaccine

Morgan Nicole Veysey

Vanderbilt University announced last week that the CDC awarded the school $10.7 million in grants towards studying the effects of the COVID vaccine. The money will boost the IVY Research Network, which was originally created in 2019 to study the flu vaccination.

The statement from the school said this was the third renewal with IVY (The Influenza and Other Viruses in the Acutely Ill) Research Network, which consists of 21 large adult hospitals in 21 U.S. cities, funded by the CDC and led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

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Nashville Mayor John Cooper Emphasizes Residents Get COVID Booster in Live Press Conference

Morgan Nicole Veysey

Nashville Mayor John Cooper held a live-streamed press conference on Monday to outline Metro’s latest COVID response. Cooper, Dr. Alex Jahangir, chair of Metro’s COVID taskforce;  Dr. Gill Wright, who directs Nashville’s public health department; and Director and Chief William Swann, of Emergency Management and Nashville Fire Department, all spoke during the conference.

“Cases here are rising quickly, and we know the Omnicron variant spreads easily. Even more easily than previous variants,” the mayor said.

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Former Alderman Sentenced to Four Years for His Role in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

Morgan Nicole Veysey

The Tennessee Department of Justice announced Friday that former Selmer, Tennessee Alderman Nickolas Atkins was sentenced for conspiring “to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine.” Atkins’ conviction was the result of a joint task-force investigation involving Timmy Jermaine Cole, who investigators found was trafficking large amounts of methamphetamine, marijuana, and cocaine from individuals in Mexico to West Tennessee.

According to information presented in court, Atkins worked in a drug distribution ring under Cole.

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Nearly a Dozen People Indicted for Allegedly Trying to Distribute Marijuana and Fentanyl in Tennessee

Morgan Nicole Veysey

The Department of Justice announced Thursday that a total of 11 individuals were indicted for their roles in a “conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and fentanyl” as a part of an investigation by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force that tracked the movement of the illicit substances from Washington and California into Tennessee.

“Our continued partnership with the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee, has resulted in the removal of 27 firearms, and the seizure of deadly fentanyl that has been linked to overdoses here in Dyersburg. We remain committed to the removal of this deadly drug, and illegally owned firearms from our community,” said Dyersburg Police Chief Steven L. Isbell.

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Parkway Products to Bring New Jobs to Tennessee

Morgan Nicole Veysey

Governor Bill Lee, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD), and Parkway Products, LLC, announced this week the company would be investing $5.7 million to expand existing operations in Greenville, Tennessee. The company estimated an additional 160 jobs will be created over the next five years at the injection molding site. 

“Thank you to Parkway Products for creating 160 new high-quality manufacturing jobs in Greeneville,” Governor Bill Lee said about the expansion. “Tennessee’s advanced manufacturing job creation far exceeds national growth with employment concentration more than 30% higher than the national average. We look forward to seeing how the residents of Greene County will benefit from this new investment.”

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State Representative Jeremy Faison Tweets Apology After Dispute with School Coach

Morgan Nicole Veysey

Tennessee House Representative Jeremy Faison (R-11) tweeted an apology following a dispute with a school basketball referee. Faison’s apology was posted after videos of the fight, recorded at Providence Academy, circulated news outlets. 

“I acted the fool tonight. I’m hoping to be able to make it right.” Faison captioned the screenshot of the apology he posted on his Facebook page.

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Middle Tennessee Sees Rise of Counterfeit Money

Morgan Nicole Veysey

A Tennessee Police and Sheriffs Department have both reported a rise in counterfeit bills used in Tennessee. Hendersonville Police and the Giles County Sheriffs’ Department have both arrested men who were caught using fake bills. 

The Giles County Sheriff Kyle Helton spoke with WRKN News about the rise in his area. In the interview, Helton said the serial numbers on the bills totaling over $1,000 were identical. One man was arrested in Pulaski County after purchasing a car with counterfeit money, and another man yet to be identified in Giles County also purchased a car with counterfeit bills. 

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Lebanon Special School District Closes for the Week due to COVID

Morgan Nicole Veysey

The Lebanon Special School District announced this week that they would be suspending in-person classes for the week due to the surge of Omnicron cases. The announcement includes Byars Dowdy Elementary, Castle Heights Elementary, Coles Ferry Elementary, Jones Brummett Elementary, Sam Houston Elementary, Walter J. Baird Middle, and Winfree Bryant Middle.

The announcement said due to an overwhelming number of positive COVID cases, the school “reached a level which makes us unable to staff our classrooms and buildings.” Based on information gathered, the school district decided that there would be too many teachers absent from school to be able to conduct class in a normal manner. 

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Wilson County Re-Opens Drive-Thru COVID Testing Center at the Fairgrounds

Morgan Nicole Veysey

The Wilson County Health Department announced that COVID testing would be moved from the Health Department building back to the Fairgrounds. Beginning Tuesday, anyone needing a COVID test may go to the Fairgrounds, but vaccines will still be offered at the Health Department building.

The Health Department said that those who need a COVID test can enter the Fairgrounds at James E. Ward Ag Road off of Tennessee Boulevard and follow the signage to the testing site. Testing will be held Monday – Friday, 8:30 – 10:30 AM, excluding holidays.

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Mount Zion Baptist Church Moves Services Online, Citing COVID Case Rates

Morgan Nicole Veysey

The Mount Zion Baptist Church announced last week that it would be moving services online. In a Facebook video, Pastor Joseph Walker said that God had told him and those planning the New Year’s service to hold it virtually. 

“God is so amazing, right?” Walker said. “Because God sees so far down the road… little did we know that this pandemic would be moving at the pace it’s moving. And you know, out of an abundance of caution and out of much prayer and counsel, I as your leader always want to make the right decisions concerning our church.”

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Nashville Mayor John Cooper Says City Reached Record Highs of Positive COVID Rates

Morgan Nicole Veysey

Nashville Mayor John Cooper tweeted this week that COVID cases were on the rise in the city. Cooper said the average positive test rate was at 34.4 percent, up higher from the previous week’s 20.6 percent. He added the 10,186 reported cases were double than the high week of January 2021. 

Cooper continued that 62.2 percent of Nashville residents are vaccinated and “Vaccines continue to be highly effective against severe illness if you contract COVID. If you’ve been waiting, please protect your family’s health by getting vaccinated today.”

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Tennessee Lawmaker Proposes a Return to Voting Without Ballot-Marking Machines

Morgan Nicole Veysey
Bruce Griffey

Tennessee Representative Bruce Griffey (R-75) submitted a new bill to protect election safety. The bill would have elections in Tennessee revert to paper ballots and instate other safety measures. The bill was filed for introduction earlier this week. 

According to the Tennessee General Assembly, the bill is explained as;

As introduced, prohibits the use of voting machines; requires that elections be conducted using hand-marked paper ballots; authorizes pool watchers to record video at the polling place; requires the coordinator of elections to prescribe certain security measures for paper ballots.

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New Law Empowers Tennessee Teachers to Remove Disorderly Students

Morgan Nicole Veysey
Joey Hensley and Scott Cepicky

A new law allowing teachers to discipline students in school is set to take effect as students return to class in the new year. The bill was originally introduced in December of 2020 and was passed in April of 2021; sponsors for the bill were Representative Scott Cepicky (R- 64) and Senator Joey Hensley (R-28).

The bill was explained by the Tennessee General Assembly as it “establishes requirements and procedures for teachers to discipline students in the teachers’ classrooms, including relocation of a student.”

The new law states that teachers will be authorized to manage their classrooms and discipline their students. Teachers are allowed to send students to principals’ offices if needed, “and to hold students in the teacher’s charge strictly accountable for any disorderly conduct in school.”

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Memphis Man Arrested in Case of Vulnerable Adult Abuse

Morgan Nicole Veysey
senior citizen

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) announced this week that an arrest was made in a vulnerable adult abuse case. The TBI had been investigating Memphis resident Terence Gray since November 12 after receiving leads from the Tennessee Department of Human Services Adult Protective Services.

The TBI determined that Gray, while working as a caregiver on November 9, had assaulted a 69-year-old vulnerable adult at a residence in the 3800 block of Ridgemont Avenue in Memphis.

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Conservation Fund Gives over 1,100 Acres to Bear Hollow Mountain Wildlife Management Area

Morgan Nicole Veysey

The Tennessee Conservation Fund announced last week that they would be giving the Bear Hollow Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA) over a thousand acres of land. The area, known as the Corum tract, will connect “two sections of the existing WMA that were previously divided by the Corum property, improving continuity of state-owned land and expanding protected habitat for wildlife and recreation.”

According to the statement, the Conservation Fund purchased the land in March of 2021 with the intention to wait until the Bear Hollow Mountain WMA had the funds to purchase the land from them. Officially, on the 20th, the land was given to the Bear Hollow Mountain WMA for permanent ownership.

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Visit Music City Announces COVID Regulations for New Years Eve Celebrations

Morgan Nicole Veysey

Visit Music City announced its New Year’s Eve celebration, along with its COVID regulations. The event will be sponsored by Jack Daniels and broadcast live on CBS Television Network, and available to stream on-demand on Paramount+.

The New Year’s Eve event is called the Jack Daniel’s New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash! is one of the many events offered in Nashville for the holiday, and is free to anyone to attend. A special New Years’ Eve package is also available, with tickets priced at $50 along with a required one-night stay at a participating hotel.

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District Attorney Announces Seven Arrests for Fentanyl Distribution Ring in Tennessee

Morgan Nicole Veysey
Bag that says "DANGER contains Fentanyl"

District Attorney Brent Cooper announced that a year and a half long task force investigation in conjunction with the DEA Nashville office, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the Columbia Police Department resulted in the disruption of a fentanyl drug ring the the arrest of seven suspects.

The team focused on a counterfeit oxycodone pills drug trafficking organization, which they later discovered was selling fentanyl-laced pills. Over the duration of the investigation, members of the team made undercover purchases in order to “[identify] the sources of the pills recovered during the sales leading to the execution of six residential search warrants.”

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Dole Announces Recall Due to Listeria Contamination

Morgan Nicole Veysey

The Dole Company announced a recall last week on specific products due to possible listeria contamination. Many variations of Dole’s bagged salads that had been processed in Bessemer City, NC, and Yuma, AZ were found to have been contaminated with listeria.

In the statement from Dole, “all Dole-branded and private label packaged salads” that were processed at both locations were possibly contaminated. It added that both locations would temporarily suspend operations and undergo an extensive cleaning and sanitizing protocol. 

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Lebanon Woman Faces Federal Charges for Interfering with Flight Crew

Morgan Nicole Veysey

A woman from Lebanon, Tennessee is facing federal charges after she disrupted flight attendants onboard Spirit Airlines over Thanksgiving weekend, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Tuesday.

Amanda Renee Henry on a flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Nashville appeared intoxicated and became disruptive, according to the DOJ press release.

Authorities said that passengers seated next to Henry asked flight attendants to move seats due to her behavior, but since she was sitting next to an emergency exit, attendants decided to move her for the safety of everyone on the plane.

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