In case you missed it, here’s a look at news highlights from this past week from NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM & WNWS.COM.
Health Department confirms 3rd death due to COVID-19 in Madison County
The Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department confirms an 82-year-old male Madison County resident died Wednesday, July 8 due to complications from COVID-19.
West Tennessee Healthcare – new visitor screening technology utilized at 2 area hospitals
Jackson, Tennessee – Effective today, July 10, new screening technology will be in place to enhance safety for patients, guests, and employees at West Tennessee Healthcare Dyersburg Hospital
and at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital (JMCGH).
The new technology will not impact how a person checks into facility as a patient for treatment.
What’s Changing?
Under the new process visitors will present to the screening station and will be asked for a photo ID to be scanned and entered into the visitor management system along with the name of the person they are visiting.
Visitors will have their photo made. The visitor will then receive a printed, personalized badge that includes their photo and the room number of the patient they are visiting.
The badge should not be passed on to anybody else, to ensure security in the facility for our patients, guests, and employees.
Photo ID Information Saved
Visitors’ photo ID and information will be saved in hospital visitor database to speed up the process for return visits.
When Visitors Leave the Hospital
When visitors leave the hospital, the badge will be scanned again to indicate that the visitor is leaving the facility.
Visitors MUST check out to ensure that future visitors for their specific patient will be able to check in. This allows the hospital to keep track of how many people and which individuals remain inside the building. In case of an emergency, this enhances the safety of our visitors.
General Visitation Policy
Regular visiting hours will be from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., each weekday at JMCGH and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Dyersburg. These hours may vary by department and on weekends. Please visit www.wth.org for detailed visitation guidelines.
Road work schedule for Jackson & Madison County
Saturday, July 11, 5 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Close and detour Hwy 45 (North Highland Avenue) north and south bound from Vann Drive to Carriage House to allow beam installation over North Highland Avenue.
(BACKUP DATE Sunday, July 12, 5 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
Saturday, July 11, 5 a.m. – 7 p.m. – I-40 eastbound at Exit 82 over the bridge will have right lane closures to allow beam installation over North Highland Avenue.
(BACKUP DATE Sunday, July 12, 5 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
Jackson-Madison County Library to reopen with curbside service, July 13
After a two-week closure due to a mandatory quarantine after two staff members tested positive for COVID19, the Jackson-Madison County Library will reopen on Mon., July 13 with curbside service at both the Main Library downtown and the North Branch. Services offered will include picking up materials, computer use for essential government services and printing and faxing of essential documents.
Patrons interested in checking out materials can either call to place those items on hold or can use the library’s patron portal on its website to place items on hold. After receiving a notification, patrons can pull up to the library to notify staff that they have arrived to pick up those items. The library will also take walk-up requests for materials at both locations. Patrons coming to the Main Library should come to the College Street entrance to the building.
Samuels, Wiser address fireworks assault on JFD, JPD
A dumpster fire early Sunday morning was followed by an unprovoked attack on members of the Jackson Fire Department and Jackson Police Department when individuals used fireworks as weapons – was addressed by JFD Chief Darryl Samuels Jr., and JPD Chief Julian Wiser, at City Hall, Tuesday.
The fire – and attack – occurred at 1:13 a.m., Sunday, at 33 Carver Avenue in the area of Lincoln Courts Apartments, where one firefighter suffered minor injuries and one fire department vehicle was reported damaged.
“While responding to the scene of a dumpster fire … early Sunday morning, a significant amount of small and large mortar rounds were directed at the emergency personnel of both (JPD, JFD) departments,” Samuels said, “We respond to inner volatile environments while mitigating fires, saving lives and protecting property.
“During the course of our crews performing their duty, they should not be concerned about their personal safety.”
Continuing, Samuels said “I want to pose a question to you ‘How would you feel if a member of your family was attacked, assaulted with the callous disregard of life and property?’
“Members of my (JFD) family and my extended family – law enforcement – were attacked – and shame on those individuals responsible for the attack, and shame on those of you who have information and are unwilling to share.”
Wiser said no police officers were injured or vehicles damaged, but the incident remains under investigation, and both the JPD and JFD might have help in the form of cellphone video.
“There is some cellphone footage that has come up in the investigation (but) I’m not sure where (investigation) is on that,” Wiser said, “Police presence in the area has been increased, and based on what is known … the dumpster was intentionally set on fire.
“This type of act and behavior will not be tolerated.”
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(PHOTO: Jackson-Madison County Library)
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