An armed robber made off with pain medication from Tallent Drugs in Copperhill Monday morning.
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January
2010
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Just when it appeared the contract would be transferred from Med-Trans to ICare – the Polk County commission did not enter an objection in bankruptcy court – several paychecks bounced.
Turmoil continues to surround the ambulance service. Just when it appeared the contract would be transferred from Med-Trans to ICare – the Polk County commission did not enter an objection in bankruptcy court – several paychecks bounced.
The county had paid half the January payment and ICare provided $20,000 to make sure payroll was covered, but checks deposited on Monday did not clear. Covering payroll was a requirement of county approval of the transfer, but news of the bounced checks came after the bankruptcy court met.
This led the commission Monday night to reconsider its approval of the transfer. After considerable discussion, commissioners decided to seek bankruptcy court approval to specify that the second half of the January payment be designated for payroll. If the bankruptcy court does not approve, the commission authorized county attorney Jim Logan to take action to end the contract.
County Executive Mike Stinnett had already been authorized to seek another provider if necessary to maintain service. Logan explained that the Med-Trans contract is still valid if not transferred, although he noted Med-Trans is out of business. He also said the bankruptcy court has the right to transfer the contract even without county approval. The transfer was approved by McMinn County, which also had a contract with Med-Trans.
Even if this week’s payroll is met, that still leaves uncertain the final payroll from Med-Trans, due just before ICare is scheduled to take over on Feb. 1. Logan explained that delinquent payments from Med-Trans will be covered but may not be done in a timely manner. As part of the bankruptcy settlement, ICare insisted that Med-Trans’ current debts be covered. Funds from the sale of Med-Trans are slated to go to the IRS, which agreed to make the payments. Local supervisor David Brackett said employees are concerned about the next two payrolls, adding, “I can’t hold this ship up much longer.”
Ronnie Patterson, who will run the service for ICare, said his company planned to take on Med-Trans operations in Polk and McMinn County regardless of action taken Monday night. “If I have people, we’ll be here until you ask us to leave,” he said, adding he hoped the employees would give them a chance. He said he would have to check with his boss about whether ICare would cover the payrolls remaining before Feb. 1 but noted that Med-Trans should be receiving significant payments soon. He said the investors in ICare were committed to improving the service, adding they had made a good faith effort to insure the last payroll was covered. He added he can not control Med-Trans’ check writing.
A Med-Trans employee noted that it would be asking a lot of ICare to cover additional payrolls, especially if the county commission decided to award the contract beginning July 1 to another company. As it turned out, the commission delayed until next month a decision on awarding the new contract.
John Pippenger suggested they wait a month and verified that the bids would hold until next month’s meeting. Greg Brooks suggested getting it over with but other commission favored the wait. Logan said the additional month would give the opportunity to see the employee reaction to ICare leadership.
Commissioners met last week with those interested in taking over the service after the current contract runs out June 30. Bidders were Med-Trans (ICare said they would honor the proposal submitted), Angel, and Rural Metro.
The Polk County Planning Commission voted last month to send a letter of intent to call in the remaining $24,000 of the road bond for Phase V of Ocoee Mountain Club.
State-of-the-art mapping technology is located in every ambulance now that Rural/Metro has takesnover, thanks to the foresight of the Polk County 911 Board.
The McMinn County Living Heritage Museum’s iconic schoolhouse quilt has been replicated on an 8-foot-square block and installed above the museum’s front entrance as part of the Appalachian Quilt Trail program.
After the social hour and meal the business session was held and several important items were discussed, including the selection of the 2010 scholarship recipient from Polk County High School.
Polk County High School students put their skills and talents together at the National Technology Students Association Conference and came away as National Champs in the On-Demand Video Competition.
The Museum Center is pleased to host an exhibition that looks at the history of the fraternal lodges in Bradley County and the impact that they have made on the development of our area.
The Bonnie Blues 956 Chapter of the Children of the Confederacy made a trip to Franklin, Tennessee on June 18 and 19 to attend the Tennessee Division Convention.
The long-awaited book is an update of the very popular “Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests: A Field Guide for Identification and Control,” published by the Station in 2003.
How effective have plastic bag bans and restrictions been on reducing plastic litter and other problems associated with their proliferation? And is it really better to use paper bags, which will just lead to more deforestation?
Wildlife linkages can have a significant impact on decreasing animal deaths on roadways as well as highway safety, according to An Assessment of Wildlife and Aquatic Habitat Linkages.
A pair of juvenille White Ibis have been visiting the East Tennessee Nursery during the last two weeks ... seemingly content to feed on the abundant Junebug population.
Jim Caldwell snapped this picture last week, commenting that he couldn't believe he saw something so unusual as a deer grazing in the middle of the Hiwassee River.
Subscriber Carol Cooper captured what appears to be a special moment between two cardinals at about 7:15 last Wednesday morning at Campbell Cove Lake in Turtletown.
A group of Copper Basin High School students learned about environmental cleanup, the importance of clean water and the history of copper mining during Earth Day activities hosted by Glenn Springs Holdings.
The new, easier-to-use site provides new ways to explore Living Heritage Museum’s current and upcoming exhibitions, its programs and events, and detailed information about the Museum and its collection.
The Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association (TOHA) hopes to capitalize on that trend by promoting driving tours that link the Cherohala Skyway and Ocoee Scenic Byway.
Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture Officials report that three American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus) funded projects in the Cherokee National Forest were recently completed.
Each year, the State of Tennessee Department of Tourist Development publishes a Vacation Guide that includes a collection of Tennessee’s finest communities.
A Tennessee Overhill trail will be included in the initiative, and the Cherohala Skyway between Monroe County and North Carolina is included in the byways section.
Linda Caldwell, executive director of the Tennessee Overhill Heritage Tourisim Association, is helping to coordinate the local effort under the state guidelines.
In addition to destroying part of the county’s major highway, last week’s rockslide also damaged the county’s major tourism infrastructure – the whitewater rafting put-in.
Governor Phil Bredesen today announced the 2010 Back to School CoverKids outreach campaign to help enroll Tennessee’s children in the state’s free, comprehensive health insurance plan.
A man claiming to be a representative of Volunteer Energy Cooperative (VEC) telephoned at least two Meigs County residents early Wednesday morning attempting to get money.
The Department of Revenue is reminding Tennessee shoppers that during these three days of savings, you can save almost 10 percent on tax-free clothing, school and art supplies and computer purchases.
Volunteer Energy Cooperative (VEC) officials were recently alerted of a person trying to gain access to a VEC customer’s home by claiming to be an employee of “the electric company.”
In fact, due to ARRA incentives, initial federal data shows the average tax refund for 2009 is up nearly 10 percent, or $266, from the previous year, according to Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Doug Shulman.
While the economy slowly recovers, many budget-conscious homeowners are looking for simple, cost-effective ways to transform their homes' exteriors into inviting outdoor "land-escapes" that can be enjoyed year around.
Dear EarthTalk: I see a lot of “healthy snacks” being marketed for kids that list “natural flavors” but don’t identify them. Should I use these products?
Flowers and plants are blooming, the sun is shining and the weather is finally getting warmer after winter's chill. So why not bring some of spring's beauty into your home so you can enjoy it day after day?
Reports from across the nation indicate fake agents and sales representatives are going door-to-door claiming to be with the federal government to peddle phony health insurance policies.
At a Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission meeting, action was taken which reduced the bear archery season to three weeks from the originally proposed five week season.
The second Kid’s Fishing Day, hosted by TWRA, Forest Service and the Cherokee Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, will be at McCamy Lake in the Chilhowee Recreation Area on May 15th, 8 am-12 pm.
An economic benefit study of trout fishing in Tennessee showed total expenditures of $1.5 million for the Hiwassee River during a 6-month period in 2002.
What many consider the "King of American Game Birds", the wild turkey is quite vocal during the spring breeding season. The call (gobble) of the wild turkey in the mountains of east Tennessee is an unforgettable sound.
TWRA officials met with the county’s Fish & Wildlife Committee and more than a dozen citizens to discuss the planning process for a new five-year management plan for the river.
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