Grief, anxiety, depression in women subject of seminar at Summit

BY ANDY HUMBLES AHUMBLES@TENNESSEAN.COM 726-5939 • June 16, 2008 The causes of grief, anxiety and depression in women will be the program topic for the next Just for Women seminar series at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 26, in Classroom C at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage. The monthly series is free and for women of any age. Amy Johnson, Ph.D., with Tennessee Oncology, will lead the program. Reservations are required. Call 342-1919.

Antioch Couple Survive Kidnapping

Suspects Force Man To Withdraw Cash From ATM POSTED: 7:42 am CDT June 16, 2008 UPDATED: 5:50 pm CDT June 16, 2008 Channel 4 News NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Police said an Antioch man was kidnapped overnight at gunpoint and robbed by two men. Michael Ezekiel, 27, said that at about 3 a.m. Monday he was standing in the parking lot of the Mission of Hickory Highland apartment complex. At that time, Ezekiel said two men, Rickey Carr, 25, and Jonathan Lawrence, 21, approached and forced him to drive to a nearby Suntrust automatic teller machine to withdraw cash. When they arrived at the bank, the ATM was out of order, so the suspects forced Ezekiel to come back to the apartment complex. "I couldn’t get any money out. My hands were shaking. I was nervous and terrified, and none of the ATMs were working," he said. Ezekiel said the accused robbers then drove back to his girlfriend's apartment and got her debit card. One of the men stayed with the girlfriend, while the other suspect took Ezekiel to a U.S. Bank. "It was terrifying. I had never seen a gun outside a gun store," he said. Ezekiel was eventually able to break free from his captor. "I got a hold of his head, and I pulled him out, and I knew his torso was bent here, so I squatted down on him," he said. "I had him in a guillotine, and he was slipping. I tried to force him out, and I just put all my weight on him." He was able to steal his captor’s cell phone and call police. "I clocked him pretty good. I pulled him out of my car, like, by his neck. I really wanted to break his head off," he said. Authorities arrested both Carr and Lawrence, who have been charged with two counts of aggravated kidnapping and two counts of aggravated robbery. Lawrence's bond was set at $600,000. Additionally, Carr is charged with aggravated rape and attempted rape. His bond is set at $1 million. Police are also trying to determine if Carr and Lawrence may be linked to other crimes in the area. Copyright 2008 by WSMV.com. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed Video: Antioch Man Attacks, Escapes Kidnapper

Tennesseans urged to vacation in state

Associated Press • June 16, 2008 Looking to compensate for declining attendance, state officials are marketing state parks to locals looking for cheaper vacation destinations. "I think the fuel prices are going to affect our out-of-state travelers coming to see us this year," said Murray Crow, the state's regional park manager. Instead of a long-distance trip to the beach, park officials want Tennesseans to consider a cool mountain stream. Travelers can check out a new feature, "Less Than One Tank Trips," on the state parks Web site. "Economically, I think we're a really good bargain, especially for individuals within a 50- or 100-radius of a park," Crow said. Tennessee has 53 state parks, including six resort parks with inns, cabins, restaurants and golf. Records show that attendance at the resort parks — Fall Creek Falls, Henry Horton, Montgomery Bell, Natchez Trace, Pickwick Landing and Paris Landing — was low but steady as gas prices rose over the past two years. Park Manager Jim Hall at Fall Creek Falls said he noticed a bit of a difference in visitors over the Memorial Day weekend, but said the park stayed busy. "Just driving through looking at license plates, I did observe fewer out-of-state and more Tennessee," he said. "Every parking place was full. The park was very active and we had a lot of folks over the holiday." Fall Creek Falls pumped $1.8 million into renovations last year designed to increase recreational vehicle attendance. Hall said the improvement could attract more people, but given the high price of gas, it's still a guessing game. "Memorial Day, the Fourth of July are probably going to be busy, regardless," he said. "The proof will be what the visitation looks like on a non-holiday, regular summer weekend outing.

Council looking to restore $1 million to MTA

By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer (Tennessean)• June 16, 2008 The Metro Council is poised to restore $1 million to the Metro Transit Authority's budget for the upcoming fiscal year, a move that would save some public bus routes from the chopping block. Councilman Erik Cole, chairman of the council's Budget and Finance Committee, said the substitute budget the council plans to vote on Tuesday night would reflect the high priority the council is placing on public transportation at a time of bruising increases in gas prices. "It would be a terrible year to send a signal that we didn't care about public transportation," Cole said. MTA's board voted last month to raise bus fares and eliminate seven routes to help make up a $2.9 million shortfall driven by spikes in the cost of diesel fuel. Mayor Karl Dean's budget proposal for the year starting July 1 would cut MTA's funding by $400,000 even as the authority said it needed $2.5 million more than it's getting this year. Dean, who planned to increase funding to public schools and not much else in a tight fiscal year, has said he wishes he could have done more for MTA. Paul Ballard, MTA's chief executive, said the authority would wait to see the final numbers approved by the council before announcing the routes it would restore. "But it's good news," Ballard said. "It's great news." Any shift in budget funds comes with a cost, however. Cole said the $1 million would come from an assortment of "administrative accounts and contingency funds," including money set aside to help some Metro departments relocate before a capital funding shortage forced the city to reconsider those plans. The mayor's office, the council office and the Metro Arts Commission also would see their funding reduced somewhat beyond what the mayor proposed, Cole said. "We really wanted to demonstrate that we could spread out the impact," he said. The $1 million includes $200,000 Dean had already committed to MTA, Ballard said. Those funds would let MTA continue serving Metro magnet school students, who don't receive transportation from the school district. The council's Budget and Finance Committee meets at 4 p.m. today in the council chamber at the Metro Courthouse. The full council meets Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Metro police to test for steroids

By KATE HOWARD • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • June 16, 2008 Metro police announced today that they've added anabolic steroids to their random drug testing policy, spurred by an international investigation into steroid use and sales that has led to the decommissioning of three Metro officers. The addition will more than triple the cost of each of the 300 random drug tests the police department completes each year, according to a release today. Previously, the department tested for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, opiates and PCP. “This police department insists on the highest standards of behavior from our employees in providing the most professional police services possible," Police Chief Ronal Serpas said in a statement. " It is imperative that the communities we serve have strong confidence that this is an agency totally committed to a drug-free work force. That drug-free definition includes anabolic steroids.” Three veteran Metro officers have been on paid administrative leave since February, when police officials said they were implicated in a wide-ranging federal investigation into anabolic steroids. Police officials have not said whether they're suspected of using or involved in the sale of steroids. A police trainee resigned after he was questioned in connection with the investigation.

District "29" Cleanup...Yes more videos...

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Second Harvest in Need of Baby Items

Reported of WKRN (Channel 2 News) Second Harvest Food Bank is feeling the effects of the struggling economy. While donations are down and demand is up across the board, the need for items like baby formula is almost at its greatest in 11 years. Second Harvest has been forced to start rationing the small amount of baby formula they have left. Kelli Garrett, Second Harvest , said, "We used to be able to give out maybe three or four when we had more formula on hand but we've had to cut back on what we can give to those families." Garrett said what supply they currently now, will probably only last a few more months. Second Harvest said baby formula isn't one of the popular items to be donated, part of the reason being people who go to the grocery store and don't have kids don't go down the baby food isle. "It's very difficult for those families having to choose, do they feed their children or feed themselves, and who wants to make that decision," said Garrett. While Garrett said she never wants to turn people away, it could soon become a reality.

Owners can no longer afford pets, shelter faces overcrowding

Reported on WKRN News (Channel 2) Pets are the latest victims of the struggling economy. The Metro Animal Shelter is reporting a jump in the number of surrendered or abandoned animals, as fewer people can afford them. Typically, most of the animals that come into the shelter are picked up by animal control. Recently, however, shelter officials said they have seen more animals coming through their front doors dropped off by people who just can't afford to keep them anymore. Director Jude Ladebauche, Metro Animal Control, said, "They aren't animals we're picking up in the field they're animals that people are surrendering to us for one reason or another and it's heartbreaking." Dogs like Harley and Rocky are newcomers to the shelter and face greater odds. Harley is five-years-old, not as popular an age for adoption as some of the puppies. Ladebauche said because the shelter is so full, it can only support the dogs and cats for one to two weeks, maximum, before they have to make room for new ones. She said, "It's extremely difficult to know so many of them really won't ever find a second home." Still, shelter officials encourage those who can no longer afford their pets to bring them in so they have a chance to find a new owner. The shelter has taken in almost 12,000 animals this year, 1,500 of which last month. Ladebauche said she expects to break a record this year for the number of animals coming into the Metro Animal Shelter.

Apartment fire reported in South Nashville

Reported in the Tennessean The Nashville Area Red Cross is on the scene of a three-alarm fire at the Gazebo Apartments on Neese Drive in South Nashville. The Red Cross is working to determine how many residents are displaced and providing assistance as needed.

District 29 Cleanup Thank you!!!

,

Thank you!

Metro Beautificatiom

Goodwill Industries

Public Works Department

Shred It

Starbucks (kept everyone awake)

Kirspy Kreme (kept every one's bellies full)

Council Woman Vivian Wilhoite (District "29")

And of course all the people that helped to make the cleanup a success.

Good time had by all!

Davidson County crime log for June 5-8, 2008

These are the most serious calls handled by the Metro police, listed by time, crime reported and address. Some reports may be unfounded. Police calls are listed by police precinct or town. When police cannot immediately determine the location of a crime, the address given is that of the police station or hospital where the crime was reported. Antioch 3:50 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1300 block Bell Road Donelson 8:22 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2800 block Lebanon Pike Downtown 2:25 a.m., cutting/stabbing, 200 block Printers Alley 5:42 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 1200 block Division Street 9:32 p.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Fourth Avenue North Priest Lake 3:03 a.m., residential burglary, 3200 block Country Lawn Drive South 3:08 a.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Harold Drive 10:42 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1000 block Murfreesboro Pike 10:55 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1800 block Air Lane Drive 11:34 a.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Fesslers Lane 5:44 p.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Airpark Center Drive 6:08 p.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Airpark Center Drive 11:08 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2100 block Portland Avenue Antioch 7:02 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5200 block Hickory Hollow Parkway Hermitage 2:31 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5900 block Old Hickory Boulevard 5:45 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4700 block Lebanon Pike South 8:20 a.m., residential burglary, 100 block Zermatt Avenue 12:27 p.m., residential burglary, 4100 block Murfreesboro Pike 11:35 p.m., shooting, 2700 block Glenrose Avenue Una 8:33 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2600 block Murfreesboro Pike 10:02 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2500 block Murfreesboro Pike Antioch 2:29 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2200 block Murfreesboro Pike Downtown 12:01 a.m., holdup/robbery, 700 block Church Street 3:07 p.m., rape, James Robertson Parkway Hermitage 6:39 a.m., residential burglary, 4000 block Bell Road 12:45 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5700 block Old Hickory Boulevard South 7:32 a.m., rape, Drummond Court 1:36 p.m., rape, Drummond Court 6:35 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1000 block Murfreesboro Pike 7:32 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Plus Park Boulevard Una 4 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Village Green Drive Antioch 6:09 p.m., residential burglary, 4800 block Jason Drive Donelson 10:23 p.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Claridge Drive Downtown 4:28 a.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Lafayette Street 6:56 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block Church Street Hermitage 12:48 p.m., residential burglary, Remington Park Road and Griffin Circle South 3:25 p.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Harold Drive 5:51 p.m., residential burglary, 13900 block Old Hickory Boulevard 8:51 p.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Plus Park Boulevard

Dog team to entertain at Nashville Shores

BY ANDY HUMBLES | AHUMBLES@TENNESSEAN.COM | 726-5939 • June 13, 2008 The Purina Incredible Dog Team will entertain and perform acrobatic tricks at Nashville Shores, 4001 Bell Road in Hermitage, on the dates of June 20-22 and June 27-29. Performances are scheduled at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. each day. Shows are included in admission to the water park. Admission is $23.95 plus tax for persons 48 inches or taller and $17.95 for persons shorter than 48 inches and ages 55-over. Call 889-7050 or visit www.NashvilleShores.com

Metro Council gets new staff director next week

Jon Cooper, assistant director of the Metro Council staff since 2001, is set to become the staff director next week. A council resolution on Tuesday's meeting agenda will make that official, while current director Don Jones, who officially retired and went to part-time status two years ago, will stay on as special counsel to the council. Jones, a former Metro law director, has been the council staff director since 1986. Cooper and Jones are attorneys. Cooper, 33, writes most of the legislation introduced by council members and advises them on legal points. He is a graduate of Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School, Middle Tennessee State University and Nashville School of Law. — MICHAEL CASS (Tennessean)

New Orleans Manor serves full crowd its last night

Marissa DeCuir • June 11, 2008

Doug Wright waves to customers leaving the New Orleans Manor restaurant on its last night Tuesday, June 10, in Nashville, Tenn. Wright's mother opened the restaurant in 1977 and the family lived in the upstairs of the manor for the first ten years. Wright is not sure what he will do after the restaurant closes and speculates he will need to find a job.

New Orleans Manor turned down about 200 people hoping to eat at the seafood restaurant one last time Tuesday night.

The restaurant was alive as ever, but owner Douglas Wright said that shouldn’t be mistaken for a retirement party.

Plagued with seven years of nearby road construction and most recently the smoking ban, the Wrights couldn’t keep the family business alive after more than 30 years.Wright’s mother opened the restaurant in 1977.

The final decision to close came Monday morning, and Wright was hoping to last until today.But because the restaurant received so many calls for reservations, it served its last meal Tuesday night instead.Wright said he was not sure what would happen to the Colemare Mansion, which housed the Manor since its opening.

Wright said he would be interested in subletting the remainder of his lease, two and a half years, with the mansion's owner, the Nashville International Airport.

Report: Tennessee ranks 42nd for kids' well-being

Associated Press • June 12, 2008 Tennessee still ranks among the bottom 10 states for children's health and well-being, but its high-school dropout rate has improved dramatically, a national report shows. The annual Kids Count report measures each state's progress in 10 areas, including infant mortality, poverty rates, single-parent families, teen death rates and low birth weight babies. This year Tennessee improved to 42nd overall from 43rd. Despite some improvement, Tennessee ranks in the bottom 10 states for infant mortality, low birth weight babies, children living in poverty and teen births, the report shows.But high school dropouts decreased 45 percent between 2000 and 2006 and both the child and teen death rates improved. Only 6 percent of teens in Tennessee left school without getting a diploma compared to 7 percent for the nation. Tennessee's dropout rate ranks 15th in the U.S."Tennessee has implemented good public policies and strategies to improve outcomes for older children, resulting in more children graduating and fewer adolescents dying," said Linda O'Neal, executive director of the state Commission on Children and Youth. Tennessee has received national attention for the quality of its pre-kindergarten programs, but Gov. Phil Bredesen had to trim a planned expansion to the program as part of budget cuts this year. The state has also started providing more pre-pregnancy health programs that make sure women have a proper diet and avoid smoking and using drugs or alcohol. "Tennessee must continue and strengthen significant emphasis on improving preconception maternal health to reduce the number of low birth weight babies and infant death, efforts that take several years before the outcomes are reflected in data reported in the book," O'Neal said