According to NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM & WNWS.COM, here are the top 10 most visited online news stories for 2020.
1) Child accidentally shoots self outside convenience store
A 4-year-old male died after reportedly shooting himself inside a car at Raceway, a convenience store, at 2023 South Highland Avenue, February 1.
His parents were outside the vehicle at the time the child found a loaded gun.
2) Officials confirm first case of COVID-19 at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital
Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and the Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department were notified of a confirmed case of novel coronavirus 2019 – COVID-19 – March 21.
The patient lives in Chester County, but was treated in Madison County.
The announcement came in a joint press release from JMCGH – Amy Garner, and Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department – Mallory Cooke.
The patient was immediately placed in isolation and appropriate protocols were implemented in accordance with the Tennessee Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
3) National survey unkind to City, Jackson-Madison County General Hospital
WNWS.COM ran the report written by 24/7 Wall St. that ran in USA Today.
The story appeared in late 2019 – October 30 – but visits to the website continued into 2020.
In a story titled ’25 cities where you don’t want to get sick,’ Jackson – home to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital – is ranked ninth, nationally.
According to the report, “The likelihood of a full and speedy recovery varies depending on the nature of the illness or condition, but other factors, including the quality of medical care, can play a significant role.
“24/7 Wall St. created an index of three such measures at the metro area level to identify the cities with the worst health care system outcomes.
“The first measure we included in our index is the metro area level hospital readmission rate – or the share of Medicare patients readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of initial discharge. The second index component is the hospital mortality rate – or the share of Medicare patients who die within 30 days of admittance to a hospital. The third and final measure is the rate of preventable hospitalizations – or the frequency at which Medicare patients are admitted to a hospital for conditions that could or should have been treated in an outpatient setting.”
4) Hole widens at Pilot Travel Center
An entrance that washed out at Pilot Travel Center, 30 Sand Pebble Road, off Dr. F.E. Wright Drive, remains closed.
NOTE: Story went online January 13, 2020, but work on the entrance has been corrected and is reopened.
Denny’s Restaurant is also located in the same complex as Pilot.
The section of road, which washed out in July, 2019 – has widened – but work to repair the damage has not been scheduled.
Management at Pilot’s Jackson location declined to comment, and calls to the Pilot Travel Center corporate office were not returned.
According to the City of Jackson, there is an underground pipe that has failed that runs under portions of the common area for the Sandstone Village Development and also under the Pilot property which then connects to a concrete box culvert that runs under the intersection of Christmasville Road.
The concrete box allowing water to flow under the City street appears to be in good condition.
5) Madison County Sheriff’s Office sets new guidelines due to COVID-19
From the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, March 20 –
As stated by our press release this week, on how the Sheriff’s Office handles calls for service and the visits in the jail. Obviously, the Sheriff’s Office does NOT have the privilege or option for us to close our offices. We are 24/7, 365 days a year regardless of the current situation.
However, in addition to our duty to provide safety to our citizens, we also have to make decisions in regards to the safety and well-being of our staff. As the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect nearly every area of life, law enforcement agencies around the country are changing the ways they respond to service calls.
Law enforcement personnel come into contact with countless people in their communities on any given day. Now that this highly contagious disease is spreading across the U.S., our jobs carry a new risk — both for Deputies and for the communities we serve. Below are some policies temporarily implemented at the Sheriff’s Office in an attempt to safeguard the public as well as our dedicated staff.
Effective immediately, Deputies may take reports for certain non-emergency calls over the phone, such as those that don’t require an on the scene investigation or the collection of evidence. We feel that because our Deputies interact with many people throughout the day, limiting as much exposure as possible will aid in contributing to our social distancing responsibility to the public and will limit the potential spread of the virus to both our officers and to you, the public.
Our Deputies are continuing normal patrols throughout the county and will still respond to in-progress crimes or emergencies where there is an immediate threat to life, health or property. If you need us to come to you, we will still do that just as we have always done. If we do respond to your call in person, we will ask you certain questions about your current health and ones in your household. You could be asked to step outside to speak to Deputy in order to limit indoor contact. Deputies who have to make in-person visits will keep a “safe distance” and refrain from shaking hands. No offense, just being cautious!
6) List of Jackson non-essential businesses ordered closed by Mayor
A list of non-essential businesses ordered closed by Jackson Mayor Scott Conger, March 23.
Movie theaters
Country clubs
Performing arts centers
Concert venues
Nightclubs
Indoor portions of malls
Cosmetology shops
Barber shops
Beauty salons
Spas
Massage parlors
Tanning salons
Tattoo parlors
7) 2 fatalities in automobile accident on Campbell Street
From the Jackson Police Department –
Jackson Police continue to investigate a fatal traffic accident involving two vehicles on Campbell Street near the area of Hillary Drive.
On August 10th (story appeared online August 11) at approximately 7:15 p.m., officers with the Jackson Police Department were dispatched to Campbell Street for a traffic accident involving two vehicles. Responding officers and emergency medical personnel located three subjects suffering serious traumatic injury.
All the occupants of the two vehicles were transported by Emergency Medical Services to a local hospital for medical treatment. Two of the three subjects involved in the accident succumbed to their injuries. The deceased have been identified as 19-year-old Brianna Mathis and 19-year-old Raegan Rollins both from Bradford Tennessee.
Based on the preliminary investigation, the vehicle driven Brianna Mathis crossed over double yellow lines into the path of the other vehicle causing the head-on collision. The preliminary investigation also suggest that neither of the deceased were wearing any safety equipment (seatbelts).
8) Shots fired in area of Back Yard Bar-Be-Cue
No injuries were reported, but the Jackson Police Department handcuffed an individual and placed him in a patrol car following a reported shooting in the area of Back Yard Bar-Be-Cue, 186 Old Hickory Boulevard – January 18.
9) THP issues details on 3 people who lost their lives in 3-vehicle accident in Haywood County
The Tennessee Highway Patrol issued this report on a three vehicle accident that claimed three lives in Haywood County.
NOTE: Story ran online February 16.
Time: 11:42 a.m.
Location: I40 West 43M
County: Haywood
Vehicle 1: CMV 2019 Kenworth tractor pulling a Wabash Trailer Driven by Rafael Berrios age 49 from Killeen, TX.
Vehicle 2: 2009 Mazda Tribute driven by Michael Brasher age 59, with wife Karen Brasher age 58 and a 2yr. old male child name withheld all from Sardis, TN.
Vehicle 3: 2014 Ford F-250 driven by Darrin Hicks age 49 from Jackson, TN.
Seatbelt: occupants in all vehicle were properly restrained.
Injuries: Mr. Berrios and Mr. Hicks sustained no injuries. All occupants in Vehicle 2 were fatally injured.
Charges: Pending
Summary: All three Vehicles was traveling west on Interstate 40 near the 43 mile marker in the left lane in a construction zone. Due to congestion both the Kenworth tractor/trailer and the Mazda were stopped in the lane of travel. The driver of the Ford failed to slow down and struck the rear of the Mazda pushing into the rear of a CMV trailer.
10) Driver involved in hit-and-run on 45 Bypass turns self in
From the Jackson Police Department –
Officers responded to a hit and run accident on the 45 Bypass near Hollywood Drive at 3 a.m., Sunday, March 8 – story ran March 11.
The victim, Randavious Deberry, suffered serious injuries and later died as a result of his injuries.
A BOLO was issued for the vehicle as possibly a maroon Toyota.
On Tuesday March 10, the driver of the Toyota came forward, and we are no longer looking for the vehicle involved.
