TN law adds jail time for gun crimes

Measure among those that take effect today By Lucas L. Johnson II • ASSOCIATED PRESS • January 1, 2010 A measure that seeks to crack down on violent crime in Tennessee is among a number of new laws taking effect today. The legislation builds on the "Crooks with Guns" law passed during the 2007 Tennessee General Assembly. It adds a minimum of six years to the sentence of a person who has a gun while committing a felony or attempting to escape. And violators who possess a firearm while attempting first-degree murder would get the extra time, plus at least three to five years, depending on whether they have a prior record. The original "Crooks with Guns" legislation made it an additional offense to be armed with a firearm when committing felonies such as aggravated and especially aggravated kidnapping, burglary, carjacking, voluntary manslaughter and certain drug crimes. In 2007, Tennessee ranked second in the nation in the number of violent crimes per 100,000 people, and about 67 percent of those convicted of such crimes are re-arrested within three years of being released from prison, statistics indicate. "This is an additional tool for the judicial system and law enforcement," Maggi McLean Duncan, executive director of the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police, said of the legislation. "Re-offenders are responsible for committing a larger percentage of crimes. Law enforcement's goal is to limit the number of victims in our communities and create safe environments for our citizens." Another law taking effect with the start of 2010 requires the state Health Department to try to award contracts to public clinics before seeking private entities such as Planned Parenthood, which supports abortion. The Republican-supported legislation was prompted by a video on the Internet that shows an allegedly pregnant 14-year-old being coached by a Planned Parenthood counselor in Memphis to lie about the age of her boyfriend to avoid legal scrutiny and get an abortion without her parents' knowledge. The organization receives about $1.2 million that's divided among Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee and Memphis Regional Planned Parenthood. None of the money that the group receives from the state can be used for abortions, but it does help subsidize birth control and other reproductive health care. Similar GOP proposals had failed in the past. Also today, a law will take effect to help prevent the accidental or intentional poisoning of people, pets and other animals as a result of ingesting antifreeze or engine coolants. The law requires manufacturers to add a bitter agent. Without it, antifreeze has a sweet aroma and flavor. Ethylene glycol, a key ingredient in antifreeze, is toxic to humans and animals. Manufacturers that don't comply with the law will be penalized.

Guns-in-bars supporters not discouraged by poll

TN lawmakers resolute despite opposition By Nate Rau • THE TENNESSEAN • January 1, 2010 Tennessee voters overwhelmingly think a law that allows guns in bars and restaurants is a bad idea, according to a new poll commissioned by a hospitality trade group, but state lawmakers say they will forge ahead with the policy in the coming year. According to the poll commissioned by the Tennessee Hospitality Association, 67 percent of registered voters oppose the law that passed in last year's legislative session. The poll, completed in early November by Nashville-based Prince Market Research, preceded a Davidson County judge's decision that the law was unconstitutional. Association CEO Walt Baker said his group, which opposes the law, commissioned the poll to find out if its position was in line with customers. "Our industry is one that typically gives people what they want," Baker said. "We wanted to find out what people wanted. What we found out was people are opposed." Pollsters interviewed 812 voters — evenly parsed between Democrats, Republicans and independents — and found that 90 percent said property owners' rights should trump gun owners' rights. According to the poll, 39 percent of those interviewed felt less safe after the law took effect. The results echo a poll released in October by Middle Tennessee State University, which said 60 percent of Tennesseans opposed allowing guns in places that serve alcohol. Despite the public opinion polls and the Nov. 20 ruling by Chancellor Claudia Bonnyman that the law is unconstitutional because of vagueness, it appears the legislature is ready to tackle it again. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, who supports the bill, said he expects the issue to be addressed in the coming session that begins later this month. State Attorney General Bob Cooper also has filed a notice to appeal Bonnyman's ruling. "I don't know which one will come first: the appeal of the judge's decision or tweaking the legislation to make it constitutional in the eyes of the chancellor," Ramsey said. Ramsey hits critics Ramsey, who is running for governor in next year's Republican primary, said had he not seen the specific poll results but believes proponents are in line with voters' wishes. He said poll questions can be twisted to elicit a desired result, and he railed against the media for overkill. "I'm not worried about it because I know what we're doing. I know we're addressing the budget, and I know we are as well run as any state," he said. "I am fatigued that the press has spent so much time on it because I know that we haven't spent so much time on it." Sen. Doug Jackson, D-Dickson, an outspoken gun-rights advocate, has prepared a bill that he says will address the judge's claims of vagueness. The new bill would allow handgun permit holders to have firearms inside establishments with liquor permits. Last year's legislation included provisions that prohibit a permit holder from consuming alcohol while in possession of a gun. Voters could retaliate The hospitality association's poll indicates the bill could be a deciding factor when Tennesseans vote next year. According to the poll, 43 percent said they'd be less likely to vote for a legislator who supported guns in restaurants, while 44 percent said it would have no impact, and 14 percent said they would be more likely to vote for a supporter of the bill. "My hope is the legislature will focus on other things and let the appeal process take hold," Baker said. State Rep. Gary Moore, D-Joelton, who supported the bill, said it needs clarity, and he knows no matter which way he votes on such a controversial issue, someone will be unhappy. He got a barrage of e-mails earlier this year promising his political demise from angry voters who opposed the bill. "I learned a long time ago you can't please everybody on your votes or your actions," he said.

Big Turnout Out For Convention Center Q & A

Nearly Eighty People Show Up In Antioch To Voice Concerns Channel 4 news POSTED: 9:46 pm CST December 29, 2009 UPDATED: 11:38 pm CST December 29, 2009 ANTIOCH, Tenn. -- A public forum was held in Antioch Tuesday night to discuss plans for the new Music City Center. It was designed so constituents could ask questions about the proposed project. For the most part, the crowd was against the project. They applauded a suggestion that the public should have the right to vote on the Music City Center. "I'm concerned that we are jumping into this without enough information. The industry across the nation is suffering. Why do they think Nashville will be any different?” said retired Realtor Robert Kane. A minority of those in the audience agreed that past projects like LP Field have been good for Nashville. "I think it would be a real boon. I travel and I see what Nashville doesn't have in comparison," said Nicky Tataryn. Opponents say the project is a possible liability for the city. It's ultimately guaranteed by the general fund. They point out that conventions are a declining business. The next opportunity for public input is Jan. 11 at the city council meeting. The vote is Jan. 19.

Nashville seeks site to add fourth clinic for women, children

4 locations studied after public outcry kills idea of locating WIC center at Hickory Hollow Mall By Christina E. Sanchez • THE TENNESSEAN • December 28, 2009 The Metro Public Health Department has identified four possible locations to put a new Women, Infants and Children clinic in Antioch after a public outcry prevented the program from moving into the Hickory Hollow Mall. Health officials had been in talks with the mall since June to open the center to provide nutrition counseling and food vouchers for low-income families. More than 43 percent of Davidson County's WIC participants live in Antioch, but the closest clinic, in the Woodbine community, is 20 minutes away and even longer by bus. Metro Council almost approved a contract for the new location this month, but neighbors rallied against it, saying the mall was not the right place. Council members agreed after 200 residents showed up at a community meeting and protested, saying the clinic would drive away business and drive down property values. The proposal was squashed at a council meeting two weeks ago. "Transportation is a real issue for our families," said Bart Perkey, director of health services access for the health department. "We wanted to locate a clinic in close proximity to where we have a lot of our WIC participants. Now, we are looking at other properties in the Antioch area." Hickory Hollow Mall seemed liked an ideal spot because the health agency could get a good rental rate for about 2,800 square feet, while the mall, which has struggled to keep tenants, would fill an empty spot. Perkey wasn't prepared to identify the locations being considered. The health department wants to work with council members and the community to make sure the WIC clinic is in the right spot. An estimated 75 families will use the location each day. There are three WIC locations in Davidson County: the Woodbine clinic, one in East Nashville and a downtown site. Grateful for help Benita Thompson, a Nashville mother of five, knows the benefit of a close WIC office. She is thankful she has the downtown WIC office five minutes from her home so she can make sure her 4-month-old daughter, Kevena, has the $14-a-can special formula she needs. "I couldn't afford that formula," Thompson said. "All my money and food stamps are budgeted out." She was grateful to be able to get fruits and vegetables while pregnant. "I was healthy, and my baby was born healthy," she said. "I didn't have any problems. I don't know what I would do without WIC." Councilman Sam Coleman, whose district includes Hickory Hollow Mall, got behind residents to support their concerns about WIC in the mall. He agrees that the WIC program, and especially a full-service health clinic, is needed in Antioch — just not in the mall. There is no money right now for the full clinic, but Coleman says he won't give up. "We need that clinic, just not at that location," Coleman said. "It was a tough decision. We need to return the mall to a viable status, but that does not include letting a WIC office go in." The new WIC location will be made possible because of a $500,000 grant through the Tennessee Department of Health. The money was given to Metro for the growth in the WIC program, which serves more than 300,000 people each year. Coleman said he would go on a ride-along with Dr. Bill Paul, Metro health director, to see other potential locations in January. The Metro Council will again have to approve the final contract. "We will pick out sites and see if those sites will fit inside their budget, and then meet with the other council members and the residents," Coleman said. "It will not go along the same track again."

""Night Out Against Crime" August 4, 2009"

Council Lady Vivian Wilhoite Presentation of Convention Center

To All District 29 Residents Council Lady Vivian Wilhoite Invites You To Attend A Community Meeting When: Tuesday, December 29, 2009 Time: 6:30 p.m. Place: Priest Lake Presbyterian Church

Please attend the District 29 presentation on the proposed Convention Center facility called the Music City Center. This is the 2nd meeting in the district that we have had on this important matter. More information has been provided to us and I want you to hear about the proposed plans and allow you to get your questions answered directly. Be sure to share this notice with your neighbors!

Facilitated By: District 29 Council Lady Vivian Wilhoite Telephone 615-589-2003 Visit often http://www.vivian-29.blogspot.com/ for up-to-date information.

Happy Holidays Everyone! As announced at the Metro Council meetings, December 8 & 22 and also at our District 29 Christmas Mixer, this is a reminder of a meeting about the proposed convention center also known as the Music City Center. Please attend this meeting to hear from the supporters and the opponents of this project. There will be an opportunity to asked questions. I hope that you will attend. If you have questions or would like to speak with me about this issue or another matter relating to the district or the city, please continue to contact me at 589-2003 or you may email me at vivianwilhoite@comcast.net. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.

Gratefully, Vivian Wilhoite Metro Councilmember, District 29 http://www.vivian-29.blogspot.com/ www.twitter.com/Vivian2010 Look me up on Facebook!

TN got 120,000 doses of recalled flu mist

By Christina E. Sanchez THE TENNESSEAN • Matthew Perrone and Marilynn March ASSOCIATED PRESS • December 24, 2009 As many as 120,000 doses of H1N1 nasal spray vaccine that came to Tennessee were part of the latest nationwide recall because they lost strength, state health officials said Wednesday. Drugmaker MedImmune's recall affects more than 4.7 million doses, and the vast majority had already been used in early October, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Agency officials said the vaccine was strong enough when it was distributed in October and November. The vaccine recall is the second this month caused by declining potency and comes as public health officials urge millions of Americans to get vaccinated against swine flu. Similar to the first recall earlier this month when Sanofi Pasteur pulled 800,000 doses of the H1N1 shots for young children, people who got the nasal spray do not need to get re-immunized, said Dr. Tim Jones, state epidemiologist for the health department. "These are lots that we got really early on in the vaccination campaign when we were giving the vaccine as quickly as we received it," Jones said. "At the time, it was perfectly potent and even if they had gotten now, it would have been fine. Our recommendations remain unchanged, and vaccination is the best way to prevent illness." Tennessee found that 120,000 doses the state received were involved in the MedImmune recall, and the doses accounted for about 6.3 percent of the 1.9 million doses distributed since October. Swine flu vaccine has been available since early October, and since then manufacturers have released more than 111 million doses for distribution in the U.S. MedImmune makes the only nasal spray version, which can be used by healthy people ages 2 to 49. FDA investigates The FDA is looking into the problem but said it's not uncommon for vaccines to lose strength over time. MedImmune's vaccine has a recommended shelf life of about four months. The company has about 3,000 doses in its warehouses but does not know how many remain in the field, according to the FDA. Last week, vaccine maker Sanofi Pasteur recalled hundreds of thousands of swine flu shots for children because tests indicated those doses lost some strength. Most of those doses had already been used, too. Tennessee had received about 11,000 of the affected Sanofi doses. Doctors and health clinics have stopped giving the recalled Sanofi and MedImmune doses, and will return them to the manufacturers. Maryland-based MedImmune, a subsidiary of London-based AstraZeneca PLC, voluntarily recalled 13 lots of its vaccine, "due to a slight decrease in potency" discovered through routine quality control testing, said spokesman Tor Constantino. "It's not a safety concern. People who have received doses from the affected lots do not need to be revaccinated. The doses were well within potency specification," he said. . William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said all vaccines lose potency, but they are built with a buffer so they don't have to be recalled. "It's very rare that they are recalled," Schaffner said. "That's why the FDA will look at if we have to do anything different, or if it is a mark of how thoroughly the safety of the vaccine is being tested and monitored."

Senate Oks Health Care Measure, Reaching Milestone

Channel 5 News WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate passed President Barack Obama's landmark health care overhaul extending medical insurance to 30 million Americans. The bill requires nearly all Americans to buy insurance and forbids insurance companies from denying coverage based on patients' pre-existing conditions. The 60-39 vote on a cold Christmas Eve morning capped months of arduous negotiations, and a succession of failures by past congresses to get to this point. Vice President Joe Biden presided as 58 Democrats and two independents voted "yes." Republicans unanimously voted "no." The Senate's bill must still be merged with legislation passed by the House before Obama could sign a final bill in the New Year. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Nashville Shores' Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics

Tennessean The Polar Plunge returns to Nashville Shores in February. Co-sponsored by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Law Enforcement Torch Run Program, plungers raise a minimum of $50 and take a dip in Percy Priest Lake. Proceeds benefit Special Olympics Tennessee. To register individually or as a group for the Feb. 20 event, visit www.specialolympicstn.org. All participants receive the official Polar Plunge T-shirt and can earn additional prizes for raising more money. Prizes also will be awarded for Best Costume, Oldest / Youngest Plunger, Top Fundraisers and Top Fundraising Team. For more information, contact Beth Teegarden, Special Olympics Tennessee special events director, at 615-329-1375 or bteegarden@special-olympicstn.org, or visit www.specialolympicstn.org.

Nashville Opportunities Industrialization Center offers education, training and job placement services

Center helps all education levels By Nicole Young • THE TENNESSEAN • December 22, 2009 SEASON TO GIVE: Part of a continuing series In fewer than two years, Lisa Greer went from a homeless addict on the streets of Memphis to a successful case manager using her past to help others. Greer, a Memphis native, moved to Nashville last summer in a last-chance effort to escape an addiction to crack cocaine. "I couldn't stay clean," she said. "I'd go through rehab and do fine for about a year, then I'd relapse. I would go to the same old places and fall into the old lifestyle over and over again." Greer spent five years battling the drug. At 39, a boyfriend introduced the mother of two to powder cocaine. Over time, Greer began using crack cocaine. "It didn't take long for me to lose everything," she said. "I became homeless and I had no one. My family refused contact with me because of all the horrible things I'd done." In June 2008, a desperate Greer came to Nashville in search of rehabilitation. While on a waiting list for the Magdalene program, she was referred to the Nashville Opportunities Industrialization Center, a nonprofit agency dedicated to providing education, training and job placement services to those ready and willing to build better lives for themselves, for computer software training. According to Executive Director Helena Farrow, more than 200 people have been helped by the agency so far this year. Services offered include GED education, computer software training in Microsoft Office and job counseling and placement at no cost. Classes are offered each day and are self-paced, Farrow said. Many clients referred "We have people come in at all levels of education," Farrow said. "Some come in at really low levels and others come in ready to take the GED exam, but everyone works with the instructors based on individual needs." Most of the center's clients were referred by other agencies, such as the United Way and drug rehabilitation programs, she said. "We don't just provide these people with services," Farrow said. "We support them emotionally and help them build self-esteem. "A lot of them come in not believing in themselves. They've never really accomplished anything because they've never had any support. We try to be the shoulder for them to lean on." Greer knows the feeling well. "When I got to Nashville, I didn't believe there was a future for me," she said. "But, God put me in the right place at the right time. The people who work here have become my family. "They prayed with me. They listened to me. They didn't judge me." Six months after Greer came to the center, she had graduated from her training course in computer software and was working through a residential transitional housing program at Recovery Community. In May, she began working as a case manager at Recovery Community. Today, she has rekindled the relationship with her two sons, ages 29 and 23, and grandchildren. And she dreams of becoming a licensed drug and alcohol counselor before returning home to Memphis to found her own recovery program. "Addiction was an awful thing to go through, but I wouldn't be who I am if I hadn't gone through it," she said. "As a society, so many of us are afraid to ask for help when we need it. We try to look for the answers ourselves and when we hit a wall, we give up. "Don't be afraid to ask for help."

NES offers gift certificates

Tennessean December 22, 2009 Looking for a last-minute gift? The Nashville Electric Service is offering gift certificates for energy use. There is a $25 minimum purchase, according to Laurie Parker, NES spokeswoman. They can be redeemed by mailing them in with an NES payment or by taking them with a bill payment stub to the main office at 1214 Church St., Nashville, or the North Nashville location at 9th Avenue and Monroe St. Just be sure the person you get them for is an NES customer. Visit the main office or call NES at 615-736-6900 for more information. NES is one of the 12 largest public electric utilities in the nation, with more than 355,000 customers in Middle Tennessee. For more information about NES, visit www.nespower.com

Police continue search for Wednesday bank robbers

By Nicole Young • The Tennessean • December 16, 2009 Metro Police and the FBI are looking for three suspects who robbed Fifth Third Bank’s Nashboro Village branch on Murfreesboro Pike Wednesday afternoon. Three masked men, one described as heavyset and two others described as having medium builds, entered the bank at 4:48 p.m. and demanded cash. At least one of the men was armed with a shotgun, police said. Tellers complied with the robbery demand. As the suspects fled the bank, dye bombs exploded, causing the men to drop some of the money, police said. Witnesses at the scene did not report seeing a getaway car. Anyone with information regarding the robbery is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 74-CRIME.

NES warns of bill collector scam

Tennessean DAVIDSON COUNTY The Nashville Electric Service is warning customers about a new telephone scam. Several residents have reported calls from con artists posing as NES workers trying to collect money. A utility spokesman said NES employees are not permitted to contact customers by telephone or in person to ask for payment on a bill. Under company policy, all employees are required to wear uniforms and carry photo identification badges and all field vehicles are marked with the NES logo and vehicle number. Under no circumstances are NES field employees allowed to take cash from customers for an electric bill payment or any type of work they perform, the spokesman said. NES is encouraging anyone who receives a suspicious call to contact customer relations at 615-736-6900.

Second Harvest seeks volunteers to feed families in need

WKRN Channel 2 Posted: Nov 24, 2009 7:30 AM CST Tenn. – More families are in need of food in Nashville this holiday season. A new report found 14 percent of mid-state families are struggling to find enough food. Second Harvest Food Bank will be giving food to families for Thanksgiving and the rest of the holiday season, and Metro employees gathered food for Second Harvest to help in that need. The need is greater this year than in any previous year. "Our goal this year to meet the increased need of 38 percent is to raise seven million meals for hungry men, women and children during the holiday season," Tasha Kennard, with Second Harvest Food Bank, told News 2. "Last year we raised about five million meals but due to that increase, we need to raise two million meals more than we did last year. We need the community support with food drives, online donations and volunteers to help sort all the food that comes in." Second Harvest is also short on volunteers as people go on vacation for the holidays. Those interested in volunteering visit Second Harvest's Web site or visit the center at 331 Great Circle Rd. in Nashville.

Food banks can't keep up with soaring need

Donations fall short in Middle Tennessee By Jennifer Brooks • THE TENNESSEAN • December 16, 2009 The season of giving has turned into a lean season at Middle Tennessee food banks. Friday is delivery day at the Martha O'Bryan Center, Nashville's largest emergency food distribution center. That's when the Second Harvest truck arrives, carrying canned goods, cereal, pasta and produce. The shelves are restocked, and the doors open to waiting crowds that sometimes stretch around the building. "The truck comes on Friday. By Tuesday, we're running short," said Gregory Reynolds, who runs the center's food bank. At the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, the goal was to collect enough food to provide 361 agencies in 46 counties with enough food to last through January — some 7 million meals. So far, Second Harvest is 4 million meals short of its goal and facing the very real possibility of running out of food in January. "We're in a very critical position right now," said Tasha Kennard, director of marketing and communication for Second Harvest of Middle Tennessee. "We are way behind." More people than ever need help putting food on the table this year. And fewer people than ever seem to be in a position to help. In Davidson County alone, demand for food assistance is up 38 percent this year — and up 50 percent compared with five years ago, Kennard said. Many of the newcomers are applying for food assistance for the first time in their lives. Thirty-three percent of the people who come in to area food banks live in households where at least one person works, but that income isn't enough to put food on the table and pay the rest of the family's expenses. Of the thousands of people turning to food banks this year, half are children. Ten percent are elderly. Demand is high, but donations are down. "We've got more food drives going on than we ever had, and we're raising less food," Kennard said. "Fewer people are in a position where they feel they can donate." Right now, there are 136 food drives operating in Middle Tennessee, but they have collected less food than the 90 food drives that operated last year, she said. In November, Second Harvest fell 60,000 meals short of its goals, and December's collections are even shakier, despite corporate and private donations. Charity stretches dollars Part of the problem could be donor fatigue. It has been more than a year since the recession gutted the economy, and there are so many charities in need right now that many donors are being torn between equally worthy causes. Then there's the fact that even people who still have their jobs may not have a great deal of security in their own finances. "People are giving less because they're scared of what's happening with their own finances in the near future," Kennard said. "We're seeing what used to be $100 donations turning into $50 donations." Still, every donation counts. Second Harvest can stretch a $1 donation into four meals. Five dollars feeds 20 people, and so on. Donations may be down, but the holiday season is still inspiring plenty of people to donate their time and effort to area food banks. On Tuesday, dozens of volunteers reported to work at Second Harvest, sorting through boxes of donated goods from local stores — dented cans, produce edging up on its expiration date, but still a welcome addition to someone's supper table. "I had some spare time," said Chuck Handley, a returning volunteer from Franklin. Around him, volunteers sorted through the 10,000 pounds of food donated that day and sorted them into categories — cereal, vegetables, soup, pasta. "It's been very rewarding." One of six Tennesseans is at risk of hunger, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Six months ago, the number was one out of eight. For more information, or to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank, call 615-329-3491 or visit