Unsolved slayings along U.S. highways may be work of serial killers

TN cases are among hundreds over past four decades By Blake Morrison • USA TODAY • October 5, 2010 Click on link above to read the enitire article...

Have a voice in Nashville's Future! Attend a Long Term Recovery Discovery Open House near you.

These public meetings are for everyone in Davidson County who cares about the future of our neighborhoods, our economy, and our quality of life. Join us whether or not you were directly impacted by the flood. Your ideas for our long term recovery over the next five to fifteen years are important. Nashville united in response to the flood. Now is the time to unite again to make sure we emerge even stronger in the years to come! DISCOVERY OPEN HOUSES Come in to share your ideas anytime between the hours indicated: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 11:00 am to 1:30 pm Downtown Nashville, Nashville Public Library, 615 Church Street, Nashville, 37203 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 5:30 – 7:30 pm North West Davidson County: St. Paul's AME Church, 3340 West Hamilton Avenue, 37218 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 5:30 – 7:30 pm South East Davidson County: Lighthouse Ministries, 5100 Blue Hole Road, Antioch, 37013, Meeting in Sanctuary. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 11:00 am to 1:30 pm Nashville Farmers' Market, 900 8th Avenue North, Nashville, 37208 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 5:30 – 7:30 pm North East Davidson County:Pennington United Methodist Church, 2745 Pennington Bend Road, Donelson, 37214 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 5:30 – 7:30 pm South West Davidson County: Belle Meade United Methodist Church, 1212 Davidson Road, 37205, Meeting in Fellowship Hall. If you can't make a meeting, please visit us at the Long Term Recovery Plan Storefront at 300 Eleventh Avenue South or www.nashvillerecovery.com.For More Information:Gwen Hopkins-Glascock, Mayor's Office of Flood Recovery, (615) 880-1507

Cigarette caused Nashville apartment fire

WKRN Posted: Oct 03, 2010 7:43 PM CDT NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Metro Fire Department has determined the cause of the apartment fire in a complex near West End. The fire department concluded that careless smoking was the cause of the fire, which began around 11 a.m. on Friday. At least two apartments were damaged in the fire. After arriving on the scene, firemen were able to extinguish the fire quickly. No one was injured in the fire. This is the second fire in the Mid-State in the past week that has been caused by cigarettes.

Monday marks last day for voter registration

WKRN Posted: Oct 04, 2010 8:09 AM CDT NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Monday is the last day to register to vote in the 2010 mid-term election. Voter registration forms can be mailed or hand-delivered to the Davidson County Election Commission office on 2nd Avenue South downtown. Voters will head to the polls to pick a new governor in the the general election on November 2. Also, several key congressional and state legislature districts are up for grabs. Early voting starts October 13. For more voting information, visit the Davidson County Election Commission Web site.

Police investigate man's death in south Nashville

WKRN NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Metro police are investigating the death of a man who was found shot. Salvador Amador, 31, was found between 212 and 214 Wallace Road in south Nashville. A friend told police he saw Amador go into the San Jose Bar located at 99 Wallace Road around midnight. A resident in the 200 block of Wallace Road told detectives that gun shots were heard just before 2 a.m. Amador was not carrying any identification, but police were able to identify him by using a cell phone that was found near his body at the scene. Police were able to contact a relative that identified Amador. Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to contact Metro Crime Stoppers at 74-CRIME.

Flu shots are available today at Lentz Health Center

Shot are $20, TennCare and Medicare Part B are accepted Cindy Smith • THE TENNESSEAN • October 4, 2010 The Metro Public Health Department was scheduled to open its annual Fast Track Flu Shot Clinic 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., today, October 4th through Friday October 8th. The Health Department received shipments of the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine earlier this year and will open the clinic about three weeks earlier than in past years. This year’s seasonal flu vaccine will also protect against the H1N1 influenza virus. The Centers for Disease Control recently changed their recommendations of who should get a flu shot to anyone 6 months and older. The best available protection against influenza during the flu season is to get a flu shot. The Lentz Health Center is located at 311 23rd Avenue North. The Health Department will offer flu shots for a $20 fee (TennCare and Medicare Part B are accepted). Flu shots are offered on a walk-in basis at all three Health Department clinics (Lentz Health Center, East Health Center, 1015 East Trinity Lane, Woodbine Health Center, 224 Oriel Avenue) throughout the Fall and Winter- no appointment is necessary. Influenza season typically begins in Nashville in late December or early January, according to the Metro Health Department

Mayor Dean in no rush to launch re-election campaign

By Michael Cass • THE TENNESSEAN • October 4, 2010 To read entire story hit link above.

Shred day to benefit Nashville Crime Stoppers

October 2, 2010 A second community shred day, benefiting the Nashville Crime Stoppers program, has been scheduled for 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 16 at LP Field. Middle Tennessee residents are asked to bring sensitive documents they no longer want or need to the stadium's main parking lot, where the paper will be destroyed on the spot by Shred-it. The cost is $5 per banker box of records, and all proceeds will be donated to the Crime Stoppers reward fund, which is used to help solve felony crimes in Nashville. Detectives from the police department's fraud unit will be on hand to pass out tips on identify theft prevention and to answer questions. The Crime Stoppers' Pharma Trash Disposal, for prescription medication that is outdated or no longer needed, will also be on hand. The inaugural community shred day, held April 10, raised $8,700 for Crime Stoppers. — NICOLE YOUNGTHE TENNESSEAN

Antioch man charged in overnight crime spree

By Nicole Young • The Tennessean • October 1, 2010 An Antioch man is facing numerous charges after Metro Police said he went on an overnight crime spree in Hermitage. Danny Burnett, 41, of Old Hickory Boulevard, was caught just before 9 a.m. in the Priest Lake area after police said he abandoned a stolen pick up truck when it became stuck and took off on foot. According to the police account, minutes earlier, Burnett had driven the truck into the driveway of a house on Hill Ridge Drive, hit the garage door got out and jumped into the homeowner’s parked car in the driveway. When the homeowner came outside to see what was happening, Burnett yelled that he was looking for loose change, jumped back in the pickup truck and took off. As he fled, he crashed into a car at the intersection of Hamilton Church and Mt. View Roads and kept going. Burnett then drove to a home on Pin Hook Road and attempted to load an air contioner unit, but the homeowner scared him away. Police found a lawnmower, two weed eaters, a leaf blower, a ladder and a dirt bike inside the bed of the stolen truck. Burnett admitted to the thefts and told investigators he was on medication and didn’t remember much, police said. He is charged with auto theft, burglary, trespassing, vandalism, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, reckless driving and driving on a revoked license.

Local health center to provide 1,000 free mammograms

WKRN Sep 30, 2010 8:31 PM CDT NASHVILLE, Tenn. – To kick off National Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, the Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center hopes to provide 1,000 free mammograms through the end of November. "Last year we had about 300 women screened and maybe around three or four women who were found to have some early stages, early signs early stages of breast cancer," said Katina Beard with the Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center. "We were able to refer them and get them early treatment," she added. Mammograms will be available to women with no insurance and also those who have a family history of breast cancer but have health insurance that won't pay for the test. "We do find a lot of women that come and don't have any insurance and they're just ever so grateful to have this opportunity to be able to receive a mammogram with out that barrier of cost," said Beard. Screenings are by appointment only, by calling Matthew Walker at 615-340-1280 or 615-327-9400 ext. 341. Read more online at MWCHC.org.

Hunters Lane H.S. evacuated

WKRN Oct 01, 2010 9:01 AM CDT NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Hunters Lane High school in north Nashville was evacuated Friday morning due to a strange odor. The school was evacuated at about 8:30 a.m. after students and faculty smelled what could be gas. A Metro Schools spokesperson said the students have been moved to the football field while the Nashville Fire Department goes through the building, looking for the source of the odor. There were no immediate reports of injuries and no students had been taken to the hospital. News 2 has a crew on the scene. This weekend is homecoming at Hunters Lane High School.

Heart Association expects over 10,000 for Saturday's walk

By Andy Humbles • October 1, 2010 Over 10,000 walkers are expected for the American Heart Association’s Start! Nashville Heart Walk, will start festivities at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at Vanderbilt University on the corner of Children’s Way and Natchez Trace. The walk begins at 10 a.m. The course is 2.5 miles. Parking is free at the Natchez Trace lot. The walk aims to raise over $1 million for cardiovascular disease education and research. For information visit http://nashvilleheartwalk.org.

Health-care law may threaten limited insurance plans

By Tom Murphy • ASSOCIATED PRESS • October 1, 2010 INDIANAPOLIS — The new health-care law could make it difficult for companies such as McDonald's to continue offering limited insurance coverage to their low-wage workers. The world's largest hamburger chain provides its hourly workers with low-cost plans known as "mini-meds" or limited benefits plans. These plans typically cover things such as doctor's office visits and prescription drugs. But they don't provide comprehensive coverage, and they often come with a cap on how much the insurer pays in annual benefits that is much lower than a major medical insurance plan. Next year, the health-care law passed by Congress will require insurers to pay minimum percentages of 80 percent and 85 percent of the premiums they collect toward medical care, figures that may be hard to meet for some of these limited plans. On Thursday, McDonald's denied a report that it's considering dropping health-care coverage for some employees because they won't meet those limits. The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that McDonald's has warned regulators it could drop its plan for some 30,000 workers unless the government waives a new requirement in the health-care overhaul. The paper cited a memo from McDonald's to federal officials. McDonald's said Thursday in a statement that it has been speaking with federal agencies to understand the law, but the company called reports that it planned to drop health-care coverage for employees "completely false." A statement from the Department of Health and Human Services said the agency remains "committed to implementing the law in a way that minimizes disruption to coverage that is available today while also ensuring that consumers receive the benefits the (Affordable Care Act) provides." Still, insurance experts say the medical loss ratios may create a coverage gap for some people before the law starts offering coverage help through subsidies in 2014. Limited benefits plans have grown popular as health-care costs have climbed, said Steve Wojcik, vice president of public policy for the National Business Group on Health. Employers in the retail or hotel industries offer this basic coverage as a way to keep workers and improve employee productivity by cutting health-related absences. About 1.4 million workers have group health-care coverage through limited benefits plans, according to the National Restaurant Association, which doesn't track growth of the plans. The limited coverage means patients can be stuck with big bills if something serious happens, but they also can get insurer-negotiated payment rates for that care instead of paying full price. "Compared to nothing, they're a really good deal," said Robert Laszewski, a former insurance executive who's now a consultant. AP writer Emily Fredrix contributed to this report.

Mayor to kick off Walk Nashville Week today

Mayor Karl Dean will participate in the kickoff event for the 12th Annual Walk Nashville Week at 11 a.m. today, at the Nashville Farmer’s Market. Dean will greet participants and a group walk will follow. Other events planned for Walk Nashville Week include: • Saturday — Nashville Cares AIDS Walk; • Sunday — Walk to the Titans Game; • Monday — Walk Your Neighborhood; • Oct. 5 — Walk to Work; • Oct. 6 — Walk to School; • Oct. 7 — Walk for Active Aging; • Oct. 8 — Walk at Lunch. For more information about Walk Nashville Week, go to http://www.nashvillechwt.org/

TennCare program will give 7,000 a break on medical expenses

Neediest can apply only via hot line By Jennifer Brooks • THE TENNESSEAN • October 1, 2010 Tennessee hospitals have partnered with the government to help thousands of the state's sickest and poorest residents offset the sky-high cost of their medical bills. But if they want a shot at the program, the state's poorest and sickest will need to stick close to the phone on Monday night. The program, known as TennCare's Standard Spend Down, will help a limited number of Tennesseans qualify for Medicaid by deducting their hospital and medical expenses from their incomes. There are only enough funds to offer the medical relief to 7,000 people, and only to the neediest residents — applicants must be elderly, blind or disabled, or the caretaker relative of a Medicaid-eligible child. "You could have a $5,000-a-month job, but have $7,000 a month in medical bills," said Michelle Mowery Johnson, spokeswoman for the Tennessee Department of Human Services. The program will restore TennCare coverage to a fraction of the estimated 97,000 people who were cut out of the spend-down program in 2008, said Tony Garr, spokesman for the TennCare advocacy group Tennessee Health Care Campaign. "The fact of the matter is, reopening the program to 7,000 people … only scratches the bottom of the barrel," Garr said. The remaining people who have lost the spend-down support "are going without care or the hospital is picking up the bill for their care." Hoping to get the first few thousand people into the program as quickly as possible, the state has set up a toll-free hot line that swings into action on Monday night. The hot line will be open just 2½ hours every day — from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. — and will shut down as soon as the first 2,500 applications come in. Kelly Gunderson, TennCare's director of communications, said the hot line is designed to allow people in every corner of the state to apply for the aid without having to drive to a service center. Strict guidelines The program is operating under strict federal deadlines for the funds, so the first round of applications needs to enter the system within the next 45 days. Later, enrollment will open again until all 7,000 spots are filled. The $32.7 million program is funded in part by $9.6 million in voluntary fees that Tennessee hospitals imposed on themselves to attract federal matching funds for indigent health care. The one-year program will allow people who would not otherwise qualify for Medicaid to meet the income requirements — once their medical bills are factored into the equation. So, a widow living off a comfortable pension but dealing with mounting medical bills, or a single mother battling cancer, might be able to qualify for aid without sacrificing their incomes. "This is a program for people who either have very low incomes or very, very high medical bills," Mowery Johnson said. Because the eligibility requirements are so narrow, it's not known how many Tennesseans may qualify for the program, although TennCare officials expect to fill all the available program spots. It's also not clear how quickly the first 2,500 applications will be snapped up. Gunderson estimated that the hot line will shut down within a matter of days, and she urged people to call in as early as possible. But first, would-be applicants are encouraged to read the full eligibility requirements at www.tn.gov/tenncare