http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/tn-news/ en-us Tue, 5 Jan 2010 02:26:00 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421063/posts NASHVILLE, Tenn. – More and more Tennesseans are turning to food stamps to make ends meet. Nearly 1,186,000 Tennesseans, or more than one in six residents, currently receive some kind of food stamp assistance and the number continues to climb. At the start of each month, the lines are always long at the Department of Human Services' family assistance office just north of downtown. News 2 caught up with Kathy Bruce while she waited in line on Monday. Her husband suffered a massive heart attack two weeks ago and will be out of work for the next two months. "We... WKRN Nashville, TN. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421063/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 02:26:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421018/posts LAWRENCEBURG, Tenn. -- A Lawrenceburg couple woke up to a scare this Christmas. Someone was threatening to break down their door in search of a fugitive, but they had the wrong house. Video: Wrong House Targeted For Fugitives "His face was blood red, veins busting out of his neck," said Sherry Davis. Another man, she said, was pounding at the back door. They had what looked like badges and pictures of two fugitives they were looking for, but no warrants. "I was petrified," said Sherry Davis. Her husband Tim, who works as a trucker, showed the men his driver's license... WSMV Nashville, TN. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421018/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 01:19:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2420302/posts A Memphis man went to jail New Year's Day on a rash of charges after police found him drinking a 40-ounce beer while driving backward down a city street with a marijuana plant on the front seat. At about 9 a.m. Friday, officers responded to a complaint that Tyrone Buckley, 51, was driving drunk around a parking lot in the 1000 block of Court in the Medical Center area. According to an affidavit, officers spotted Buckley driving backward on nearby Waldran Boulevard. According to police, Buckley smelled of alcohol and had a box on the passenger's seat holding a marijuana... Memphis CAppeal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2420302/posts#comment Mon, 4 Jan 2010 01:42:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419704/posts <p>The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that one in 50 households in the state declared bankruptcy in the first 11 months of 2009.</p> <p>Statistics compiled by the National Bankruptcy Research Center showed that federal bankruptcy courts in Georgia handled 66,925 filings from January to November 2009. That's 22 percent more than during the same period in 2008.</p> Associated Press via 13 WMAZ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419704/posts#comment Sat, 2 Jan 2010 22:32:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419422/posts A car burglar was reportedly shot in self defense when he was caught in the act and then became aggressive towards his would-be victim. Police say that during the middle of the night a Putnam County, Tennessee resident found a burglar in his car. The resident is said to have ordered the burglar out and tried to detain him at gunpoint until the police could arrive and arrest him. Rather than complying, the burglar is said to have become aggressive towards the resident, causing the resident to fire in self defense. The burglar was reportedly hit multiple times, at which... Self Defense Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419422/posts#comment Sat, 2 Jan 2010 13:01:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419351/posts John Shelton Wilder, who served as Tennessee's lieutenant governor and state Senate speaker for an unprecedented 36 years, died shortly after midnight on New Year's Day at age 88, A wealthy family-oriented lawyer, farmer, banker and cotton gin owner in his private and professional life, Wilder was an often enigmatic figure in public, prone to odd oratorical rambling, pragmatic politics and crafty, behind-the-scenes maneuvering. ... Wilder was taken unconscious to Baptist Hospital in Memphis on Monday after suffering a stroke and being found unconscious at his home, He died at 12:10 a.m. Friday, according to John Shelton Wilder Jr., one... Knoxville News Sentinel http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419351/posts#comment Sat, 2 Jan 2010 05:35:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418821/posts SPRING HILL, Tenn. - For more than 20 years General Motors was the driving force behind much of Middle Tennessee's growth. In 2009, government bailouts, bankruptcy and company restructuring took a toll. The day before Thanksgiving, GM closed most of its' Spring Hill Plant. More than 1,000 workers lost their job. GM's decision to shut down the Spring Hill Plant did not happen overnight. For the first half of 2009 corporate officials weighed their options behind closed doors. The company could keep production of the Chevy Traverse in Spring Hill or move the product to plants in Michigan or Wisconsin.... Nashville Channel 5 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418821/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 05:21:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418798/posts A prison guard who acknowledged being a member of white supremacist group the Ku Klux Klan has been fired for belonging to a subversive or terrorist organisation, a violation of the county agency's code of ethics. Wayne Kerschner, an Alachua County Sheriff's Office corrections officer, was fired on Tuesday following a 10-month internal investigation. The investigation revealed that Kerschner applied online for membership to the United Northern and Southern Knights of the Ku Klux Klan a year ago, paid $US30 a month for access to a members-only Klan web site and that the group did a thorough background check that... Nine News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418798/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 04:32:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418741/posts NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- On cold mornings, with the click of a button, Metro Councilman Buddy Baker starts his car without even going outside. Related: Watch This Story "I can start it from in the house and let it warm up, and it will run for 10 minutes and shut down," said Baker. It's against the law in Nashville to leave one's car idling with no one in it, and the act can earn a ticket. It's a rule designed to prevent car thefts. Metro police said more than 800 vehicles with keys inside were stolen this year. But Baker wants... WSMV Nashville, TN. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418741/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 02:01:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418523/posts Tennessee State Guard commander Richard Hamblen said it's his Second Amendment right as part of a militia to convert assault rifles into fully automatic weapons. The Sixth US Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed. A former commander in the Tennessee State Guard has lost an appeal to overturn his conviction for trying to provide his soldiers with homemade machine guns for possible use in defending the state. On Wednesday, a federal appeals court in Cincinnati threw the case out of court. “Whatever the individual right to keep and bear arms might entail, it does not authorize an unlicensed individual to possess... Christian Science Monitor http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418523/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:07:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417474/posts NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- State lawmakers are exploring options to try and stop federal health care reform from taking effect in Tennessee. Related: Watch This Story State Rep. Susan Lynn, a Republican from Mount Juliet, said she believes some of the mandates required in the Senate version are unconstitutional and interfere with the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Lawmakers are considering plans to exempt Tennessee from taking part in the federal reform and possibly a constitutional amendment. Last week, Lynn and Rep. Deborah Maggart, a Republican from Hendersonville, asked the state attorney general to intervene and sue the federal government.... WSMV Nashville, TN. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417474/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 07:36:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416827/posts An early morning shooting has left one man in the hospital and another claiming self defense. Around 2:38 a.m., Chattanooga Police were called to the 45th Street Lounge located at 210 West 45th St. on a shooting. The owner of the bar, Michael Knox, 50, shot a patron who he said was refusing to leave and causing a disturbance, after the patron reportedly pulled a knife. Marcus Boston, 23, was transported by EMS to Erlanger for treatment of his non-life threatening gunshot wound to the neck. He told investigators he did not wish to prosecute for the incident. The case... the chattanoogan http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416827/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:47:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416570/posts Memphis Daily News...Fred Thompson, the former Tennessee senator and 2008 Republican presidential candidate, has penned his memoir and given it a title that reflects his early days in small-town Tennessee. The 67-year-old former politician, actor and avuncular radio host who graduated from the University of Memphis titled his book “Notes from a Country Lawyer.” It’s scheduled for release in May. Amazon.com already is selling pre-orders of the book, the cover of which shows a smiling Thompson wearing a suit and seated on a brick front porch. The title is a label no doubt intended to hearken back to the days... http://www.wdxe.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416570/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:11:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416164/posts The sight of a man openly carrying a firearm in a Nashville-area park has scared some people, resulting in a law enforcement response. From the Associated Press: A man carrying an AK-47-style semiautomatic pistol was detained at Radnor Lake State Park on Sunday after startled hikers complained to park rangers. Some would consider that a scary-looking gun. Some would consider coloring the muzzle tip orange so it looks like an Airsoft gun scary. And some would consider gun owner Leonard Embody's choice of apparel, "a camouflage jacket, military boots and a black skull cap" scary. That's how hiker Ellen Thomas... Gun Rights Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416164/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:51:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416129/posts Note: The following news brief is a quote: Last Update: 12/25 9:52 pm Memphis Man Arrested: Accused of Making Bomb Threats & Threatening to Start "Holy War" MEMPHIS, TN – Tonight, Mohamed Ibrahim is out after posting $100 bond. Earlier in the day, he was arrested after police say he walked into several Memphis businesses and threatened to blow them up. Court records show Ibrahim was also telling people he was Muslim, and wanted to start a jihad, or holy war, in Memphis. Police say when they arrested him, he had a butcher knife hidden in one of his jacket... MyEyeWitnessNews.com - Local News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416129/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 08:01:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415610/posts NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Tennessee was supposed to get more than a half-billion dollars to fix and build new roads. The money was coming from the federal government, but now they are taking back about half of those stimulus dollars. As a result, T-DOT has to push back road projects, and put future projects on hold. Nashville Channel 5 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415610/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 04:43:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415580/posts <p>CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) -- A state wildlife spokesman says its officers regularly send their cases to judges familiar with hunting, fishing and boating laws.</p> <p>A Chattanooga lawyer this week subpoenaed two judges, one of them an avid hunter, for a hearing that claims Tennessee wildlife officers routinely "judge shop" their cases.</p> Fox 17 Nashville http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415580/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 02:55:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415256/posts "Climategate" has been discovered by the News Sentinel - about two weeks after other news organizations. But it responded with poo-poo articles, reporting the "consensus" via quotes from well known proponents of man-caused global warming. Some years ago, maybe 30, I heard a lecture during which was shown a plot of carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere versus the average earth's temperature. There was obviously a strong correlation. But teachers of courses about statistics always caution care in cause-effect conclusions from interesting correlations. More than 60 years ago, my statistics professor told the class that the most perfect natural correlation... Knoxville News Sentinel http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415256/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 12:51:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414176/posts NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A gang member who told police he killed a stranger to gain rank in the group is back on the streets, detectives said. Video: Man Who Confessed To Killing Out On $7,500 Bond | Video The average bond for someone charged with first-degree murder who confesses is about $125,000. If the person is a danger to the community or a flight risk, $500,000 is common. Police said Christian Walters is both of those, but all he needed was $7,500 to get out of prison for Christmas. Walters said he's a member of the Crips and that when... WSMV Nashville, TN. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414176/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 01:33:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413623/posts HARRIMAN — A homeowner fatally shot a 19-year-old Rockwood man during a burglary, and authorities have charged an alleged accomplice in the break-in. Michael S. Johnson died at the Roane Medical Center of injuries sustained about 7:55 p.m. Sunday after he entered through a window of the home at 419 Old Valley Road, according to a report filed by Roane County Sheriff’s Office Detective Greg Scalf. Authorities arrested Preston D. Harvest, also 19, of Harriman and charged him with attempted aggravated burglary and vandalism. He was being held today in jail in lieu of $52,000 bond. According to Scalf’s report,... knoxnews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413623/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 11:35:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413529/posts CHARLOTTE, Tenn. - Two Dickson County jail inmates have been transferred to Riverbend Maximum Security Prison in Nashville. They are accused of splashing liquid bleach into the eyes of two sheriff's deputies and trying to escape. The male and female deputy have been treated at the hospital and released. "They was rushed, and overpowered," said Vance Bowker, chief deputy at the sheriff's department in Dickson County. "The keys and radios was taken from them, and the two inmates then attempted to escape the facility." Bowker said the two offending inmates are Tommy Jones, convicted of kidnap and rape; and Donald... Nashville Channel 5 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413529/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 04:28:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413488/posts CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- The Trane Company in Clarksville is laying off even more employees. One hundred and thirteen hourly production workers just learned they'll lose their jobs Dec. 30. Earlier this month, the company cut two dozen salaried positions. Trane makes commercial heating and air conditioning units and is blaming the layoffs on a downturn in orders. WSMV Nashville, TN. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413488/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:45:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412854/posts COLUMBIA, Tenn. -- A woman in Columbia has been charged with two counts of aggravated child abuse. According to authorities, one of Adrienne Witherspoon's children confided in the resource officer at E.A. Cox Middle School. That child and a sibling were found to have bruises on their chests, backs and arms. Investigators believe Witherspoon used a belt to spank the two. Those children and a 5-year-old sibling are now in state custody. WSMV Nashville, TN. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412854/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:04:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412843/posts Police said a registered gun carrier used his weapon on two men carrying out a home invasion at his residence on Sunday. One of the home invaders is listed in serious condition at Erlanger Hospital following the incident at 6207 Stockton Dr. According to the homeowner, Marcus Grier, he stopped by his home briefly to use the bathroom. He said he had his gun with him at the time of the home invasion. While at home, he said he heard someone enter his residence. He was met by two armed men who told him to give them his money. Mr.... chattanoogan.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412843/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:40:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412787/posts In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, word has come that we New Yorkers are the sad sacks of the United States. This is something of a surprise. Sure, we complain a lot. Grumbling could qualify as the official state sport. But are we really the unhappiest of them all? It seems so, judging from a study by two economics professors, newly published in Science magazine. The academics — Andrew J. Oswald, of the University of Warwick in Britain, and Stephen Wu, of Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y. — examined piles of data, tossed them into a... NY Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412787/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:48:59 GMT